Just some FYI,
March 6th today, the USAF will begin its first day of flight ops from Eglin.
very scripted and limited for now, but it's a start nonetheless.
USAF to begin F-35 JSF flight operations next week :: Strategic Defence Intelligence
USAF to begin F-35 JSF flight operations next week
By
Editorial
7 hours ago
The US Air Force’s (USAF) Air Education and Training Command (AETC) head general Edward Rice has issued a Military Flight Release to begin initial flight operations of F-35A Joint Strike Fighter (JFS) at Eglin Air Force Base (AFB), Florida, US.
The approval follows after an assessment conducted by an airworthiness board that evaluated potential risks and mitigation actions to conduct unmonitored flights.
Test pilots from the Eglin AFB, Lieutenant Colonel Eric Smith and Marine Major Joseph Bachmann will begin the operations on March 6,2012.
Initial flight operations will demonstrate the 33rd Fighter Wing’s new F-35As readiness and assess the robustness of the unit’s maintenance procedures while flying a series of local area flights.
Flights will be limited, scripted, conducted within the restrictions of the release while increasing pilot and maintainer familiarity with the aircraft.