F-35 marks 500th sortie

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- The F-35 surpassed its 500th sortie 16 days after reaching the 400 mark and only 238 days from the beginning of the program. Maj. Matthew Johnston of the 58th Fighter Squadron completed the 500th combined sortie for both the F-35A and F-35B at the 33rd Fighter Wing Nov. 2. The wing started flight operations March 6. (Source: Eglin Public Affairs, 11/06/12)