Lemoore will get 100 F-35s

The Navy will base 100 F-35C variants at Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif., the Navy said Thursday, beginning in 2016. They'll replace replace 70 FA-18 Hornets, increasing the number of aircraft at Lemoore by 30 by 2028. The Navy's joint strike fighter variant will be assigned in seven Navy Pacific Fleet squadrons of 10 jets each, and a Fleet Replacement Squadron will have 30 jets. (Source: Stars and Stripes, 10/02/14) Gulf Coast note: Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., is home of the F-35 integrated training center, which trains pilots and maintainers from all U.S. service branches and allied nations.