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First operational F-35As arrive
An F-35A Lightning II aircraft piloted by Col. David Lyons, 388th Fighter Wing commander, touches down at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Sept. 2, 2015. This and another fighter jet piloted by Lt. Col. Yosef Morris, 34th Fighter Squadron director of operations, were the first two operational F-35s to be received at the base. The rest of the fleet of up to 72 F-35s will be coming in on a staggered basis, spread through 2019. Selecting Hill AFB to host America's newest fifth generation fighter is a tribute to the active-duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings' rich heritage. It is fitting the 388th Fighter Wing becomes the first operational F-35 unit, just as it was with the F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft in January 1979. (U.S. Air Force photo by Todd Cromar/Released)

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