With a brief note issued a few hours ago, the Pentagon announced the first operating base that will host the F-35A within the 2020: Eielson Air Force Base, in Alaska. The decision, the note reads, was taken after a series of logistical, environmental and economic assessments.
The base will host two squads of F-35A operating within the next four years. The Air Force will reach the Initial Operative Capacity of the F-35A as soon as the first squad consisting of 12-24 aircraft will be formed, with trained aviators and crews able to perform close air support missions, interdiction and limited suppression and destruction of enemy anti-aircraft defenses.
The F-35A will reach the Initial Operational Capacity between August and December of the 2016.
The US Navy, equipped with the F-35Cs, will reach its initial operational capacity as soon as the first squadron of 10 aircraft will be formed, with personnel and pilots of the navy trained and able to carry out the assigned missions. The F-35C will reach the Initial Operational Capacity between August 2018 and February 2019, with the complete 3F software package.
(photo: USAir Force)
