Stealth enhancement debuts with initial F-35 deliveries to Florida Air National Guard.
The Florida Air National Guard recently welcomed its first F-35A jets into its ranks, marking a significant shift in the region's air power. This transition forms part of the Air Force's broader strategy to phase out F-15 Eagle aircraft and establish the fifth-generation F-35As as the leading planes securing the southeastern United States.
On March 4, the 125th Fighter Wing, colloquially known as "the Thunder," received three of these stealth fighters. Although the exact number and delivery timeline of future F-35As have not been finalized, the wing expects its fleet to be roughly equivalent to the number of F-15s it had. Given its single fighter squadron consisting of approximately two dozen aircraft, this suggests a fleet size of around 24 F-35As.
"This advanced aircraft directly supports our national security objectives, keeping us poised to respond, dominate, and win in any battlespace," said Col. Mansour Elhihi, the wing commander.
The F-35 transition is expected to enhance airpower along Florida's coastline, with the wing's pilots and maintainers already undergoing training with state-of-the-art simulators and mission planning systems to prepare for the fifth-generation fighters. The location of Jacksonville, home to Naval Station Mayport and Naval Air Station, also offers an ideal setting for joint integration between the Air Force, Navy, and Marine Corps.
The Air Force anticipates that the stealth integration will boost the ACE concept, a strategy that revolves around rapid deployment and operating from small teams across dispersed airfields to complicate adversary targeting and ensure combat effectiveness.
"The F-35 ensures the ANG remains at the forefront of national defense," said Maj. Gen. John D. Haas, the Adjutant General of the Florida National Guard. "It's not just about fighting wars-it's about deterring them before they ever start."
In preparation for the transition, Airmen at the 125th Fighter Wing have been undergoing conversion training and making infrastructure changes for nearly two years. The unit began phasing out its F-15C Eagles last year, with decommissioned aircraft being shipped off to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, or donated to museums or NASA's studies for research purposes.
This trend of transitioning from F-15s to F-35As is not exclusive to the Florida Air National Guard. Air bases across the nation, both domestically and abroad, are following suit, with plans to retire the F-15C/D fleet by 2026. Some units are even replacing their F-15s with the F-15EX, like the 142nd Wing of the Portland Air National Guard and Kadena Air Base, Japan.
Meanwhile, it remains to be seen if the Florida wing's remaining F-35 deliveries will be affected by the manufacturer's backlog. While backlogs can disrupt manufacturing schedules, recent deliveries and operational training suggest that these challenges have not hindered scheduling for key units like the 115th Fighter Wing.
Other Air National Guard units, specifically the Vermont ANG's 158th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin ANG's 115th Fighter Wing, and Alabama ANG's 187th Fighter Wing, are already operating F-35As. Similarly, Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts is set to receive a new fleet of 20 F-35A Lightning II aircraft next year, replacing the 104th Fighter Wing's current F-15C/D models. This decision, announced in 2023 and confirmed in December following an environmental review, marks an ongoing integration of the F-35A within the Air National Guard.
- The acquisition of F-35A jets by the Florida Air National Guard is part of the military's broader strategy to secure the southeastern United States.
- The F-35 transition in Jacksonville is expected to enhance airpower along Florida's coastline, with pilots and maintainers undergoing training on state-of-the-art simulators.
- The Florida Air National Guard anticipates that the F-35 integration will boost the ACE concept, promoting rapid deployment and operational effectiveness.
- The 125th Fighter Wing expects its fleet of F-35As to be roughly equivalent to the number of F-15s it had, suggesting a fleet size of around 24 aircraft.
- The F-35 ensures the Air National Guard remains at the forefront of national defense, deterring wars before they ever start.
- Air bases across the nation are transitioning from F-15s to F-35As, with plans to retire the F-15C/D fleet by 2026 and some units replacing their F-15s with the F-15EX.
- The ongoing integration of the F-35A within the Air National Guard is evident as other units, such as the Vermont ANG's 158th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin ANG's 115th Fighter Wing, and Alabama ANG's 187th Fighter Wing, are already operating F-35As, while Barnes Air National Guard Base in Massachusetts is set to receive a new fleet of F-35As next year.
