Guard F-35 pilots ready to fly

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Two Florida National Guard pilots are now assigned to the 33rd Operations Group at Eglin and will be the first Guard aviators to fly the F-35. Lt. Col. Randal Efferson and Maj. Jay Spohn will be among the first to learn how to fly the stealth fighter. Once trained, they'll help develop the training and standards for other F-35 pilots. Spohn will be the fifth member of the 33rd to fly the F-35, and the second to train at Eglin; about three months later Efferson will be the 10th military cadre pilot to fly. (Source: Florida National Guard Public Affairs Office, 05/23/12)