Two F-35A Lightning IIs from the 33rd Fighter Wing soar over the Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., range during the unit’s first joint strike fighter formation flight April 10, 2012. Lt. Col. Eric Smith, 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, flew the lead aircraft while Marine Maj. Joseph Bachmann, Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 aircraft maintenance officer, flew wingman. The pilots, both first in their service qualified to fly the fifth generation aircraft, were validating pilot syllabus objectives in preparation for future training. The 33 FW is responsible for F-35 A/B/C pilot and maintainer training for the Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and in the future, at least eight coalition partners.
