The F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter lifts off for its first training sortie March 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. It’s the first flight of any 33rd Fighter Wing F-35 since their arrival to the base. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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Staff Sgt. Jeremy Houser, a 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron maintainer, communicates with the pilot of an F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter during flight checks prior to the aircraft’s first-ever training sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 6, 2012. Houser was the crew chief for the first sortie. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, puts on his helmet as Staff Sgt. Jeremy Houser, 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Squadron crew chief, assists prior to the first F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter training sortie at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March. 6. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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The F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter taxis out for its first training sortie followed by an F-16 chase aircraft March 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, begins flight checks on the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter prior to its first-ever training sortie March 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Smith is the first Air Force pilot qualified to fly the F-35. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, secures his helmet for testing prior to stepping to the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter for its first-ever training sortie March 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Smith is the first Air Force pilot qualified to fly the F-35. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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The F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter taxis out for its first training sortie followed by an F-16 chase aircraft March 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, secures his helmet from the cockpit of the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter prior to its first-ever training sortie March 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Smith is the first Air Force pilot qualified to fly the F-35. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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The F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter taxis out for its first training sortie March 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, walks around the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter prior to its first-ever training sortie March 6 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Smith is the first Air Force pilot qualified to fly the F-35. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Samuel King Jr.)

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F-35A first flight

Published March 12, 2012