Air Force Reserve Unit Attains Own Exclusive F-35 Fighter Jet Squadron Designation
Kickin' it with the 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth:
The 301st Fighter Wing proudly welcomed its first F-35 to Fort Worth, Texas, making it the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to secure such a cutting-edge fighter jet. On Nov 5, the wing gained a formidable edge, with Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth hosting the 12th location sporting the F-35A across the Air Force.
The aviation scene was abuzz as the first fighter jet was spotted by photographers in October, zooming above the F-35 manufacturer, Lockheed Martin, sharing a runway with thewing's new pride and joy. However, at the time, it hadn't even had an official delivery. The jet was being put through its paces during checkout flights.
Previously, the wing had gotten a taste of the F-35 action in August, borrowing two from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, for pilot and crew training. These borrowed jets eventually escalated to five, giving the wing quite a bit of flying practice. One of these jets was even utilized in a Nov 2 ceremony to celebrate the first aircraft's arrival, with the 301st Fighter Wing still waiting for its own F-35 to finishing being accepted.
During the ceremony, Col. Benjamin R. Harrison, the wing's commanding officer, openly expressed his team's eagerness to step into this new era, viewing the F-35 as the key to maintaining sustainable air superiority. By Nov 5, Harrison was personally present to welcome the first fighter jet in person.
The 301st Fighter Wing aims to receive its full complement of 26 F-35s over the next 12-15 months. The bellwether for F-35 deliveries, Lockheed, had to stash newly built jets for nearly a year due to incomplete software testing, but deliveries are finally back on track and resumed in July. This interruption may have caused a hiccup in absorption and equipage plans among users, mainly pilots and maintainers, who couldn't prepare efficiently for their new steeds.
Interestingly enough, the 301st Fighter Wing is the first and only Air Force Reserve unit to have the F-35, with the Reserve's 419th Fighter Wing at Hill using the Active-Duty 388th Fighter Wing's jets. Though other Reserves are yet to receive the F-35, three Guard units are scheduled to get their hands on new fighters in 2025.
Here's a glimpse into the F-35 allocation timeline for both Reserve and Guard units:
- 2023-2024: The Air Force Reserve began receiving the F-35 in this period, with the 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, landing its first four jets in November 2023[3].
- 2027: By this year, the 301st Fighter Wing is expected to have all 26 of its allocated F-35s[3].
Tune in for more updates as the Air Force and Air National Guard continue to divvy up their fighter jet assets!
- Within the aviation industry, the 301st Fighter Wing, residing in Fort Worth, is a significant player, having become the first standalone Reserve unit to acquire the advanced F-35 aircraft.
- As the space force and air force continue to evolve, the role of the aerospace sector, including manufacturers like Lockheed Martin, remains crucial in supplying cutting-edge aircraft such as the F-35.
- The arrival of the F-35 presents a unique opportunity for the 301st Fighter Wing's pilots and maintenance personnel, who are eager to adapt and master the new technology, ensuring sustainable air superiority.
- Financial implications are also at play, with LockheedMartin, the primary F-35 manufacturer, experiencing delays in F-35 deliveries due to incomplete software testing, which may have affected absorption and equipage plans of users.
- Further developments in the F-35's distribution among the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard indicate that more units, such as the 419th Fighter Wing, will follow the 301st Fighter Wing in receiving the F-35, signifying a continuous transformation within the aviation sector.
