Operational F-35s go to Utah

The Air Force will base the first operational F-35As at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, the service announced Tuesday. Hill was selected because of its location near training ranges and because the base is home to the F-35 depot. Hill is home to the active-duty 388th Fighter Wing and the reserve 419th Fighter Wing, and will be flown by both components. Construction on the base will start immediately, with F-35s arriving beginning in 2015. The base will receive 72 F-35As, which will replace 48 F-16s already assigned to Hill. (Source: Military Times, 12/03/13) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 training center. Related