• Reserve fighter pilot reaches 1,000 hours in F-35

    HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah — A pilot in the 419th Fighter Wing became the Air Force Reserve’s first operational F-35 pilot to reach 1,000 flying hours in the Air Force's newest fighter jet here today. Maj. Daniel “Mental” Toftness joined the Reserve in August 2018 after 12 years on active duty. He

  • Keep on truckin': F-35 pilot requalifies to refuel aircraft

    Several F-35A Lightning II aircraft arrived here as part of a Theater Security Package. For one pilot, the Spangdahlem flightline was familiar territory. U.S. Air Force Maj. Michael Slotten, 421st Fighter Squadron F-35A pilot, who was stationed here in 2004 as an Airman first class fuels distributor

  • Meet Air Force Reserve’s first female F-35 pilot

    Before she climbed into the world’s most advanced fighter jet to become the Air Force Reserve’s first female F-35 pilot, Col. Gina “Torch” Sabric had already flown 10 airframes and racked up 22 years of flying experience.   “My family can tell you I’ve wanted to be a fighter pilot forever,”