Navy F-35 logs first training flight

F-35C has first training flight at Eglin.
U.S. Navy photo courtesy Lockheed Martin

An F-35C, the Navy variant of the stealth fighter, completed its first training flight today at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 1.3-hour sortie was flown by Strike Fighter Squadron (VFA) 101 naval aviator Chris Tabert. The flight followed a decision by Commander, Naval Air Force, Pacific, Vice Adm. David Buss Aug. 8, granting the Fleet Replacement Squadron interim "safe for flight" status. The squadron received the Navy's first F-35C from Lockheed Martin June 22. Today's flight was the first in the new Navy aircraft flown by a VFA-101 pilot at Eglin. VFA-101 will now begin to schedule and perform sorties under their own charter from their facilities at Eglin. (Source: NNS, 08/14/13) Previous