An F-35A Lightning II takes off from the flightline at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., Oct. 22. The aircraft was preparing to fly its 1,000th sortie for Nellis AFB’s F-35A program. The F-35 is designed to provide the pilot with unsurpassed situational awareness, positive target identification and precision strike in all weather conditions. Mission systems integration and outstanding over-the-nose visibility features are designed to dramatically enhance pilot performance.