Royal Australian Air Force Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson, F-35 Lightning II student pilot, prepares to exit his F-35A after completing his final flight at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. on April 23, 2015. (Defence)
Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson has become the first Australian to qualify as an F-35A Lightning II pilot.
SQNLDR Jackson concluded his training with a final mission at Eglin Air Force Base on April 23, after his initial flight in the aircraft on March 17 made him the first Australian to fly the F-35A. He will soon start training other Australian pilots.
The first F-35A is due to arrive in Australia in 2018, and the first squadron – 3 Squadron – will be operational in 2021.
