Australia’s first F-35A Lightning II pilot, Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, has flown a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A for the first time at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona on May 15.

“My focus is on representing the RAAF as a valuable partner in the F-35 enterprise,” SQNLDR Jackson told the 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs Office. “It is very exciting to finally be at Luke with the 61st Fighter Squadron, and to get to fly an RAAF F-35A.

“Whilst I am told that all the F-35s are the same, it is awesome to finally go flying in a jet that has Skippy painted on the side.”

SQNLDR Jackson completed his first F-35A flight in a US Air Force aircraft in March at Eglin Air Force Base; since then, he has qualified as an F-35A pilot and concluded training at Eglin.

AustralianAviation