AUGUST 22, 2025 – The 500th F-35A Lightning II built for the U.S. Air Force has arrived at the Florida Air National Guard’s 125th Fighter Wing as one of the unit’s first three permanently assigned F-35A fighter jets.
The aircraft, which arrived July 9 at Jacksonville Air National Guard Base, Florida, features the wing’s legacy tail flash and continues the unit’s multi-year transition from the F-15C/D Eagles.
The arrival of these aircraft bolsters the service’s nationwide push to field fifth-generation airpower and keeps the 125th Fighter Wing, known as ‘the Thunder’, on schedule to gain F-35s through a phased delivery plan. The 125th Fighter Wing will continue to fly a mix of its own aircraft and those loaned by various Air National Guard units during this phased transition, ensuring the wing maintains mission readiness without interruption.
“These new F-35s, which include the Air Force’s 500th, represent the forefront of fifth-generation airpower,” said U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Joseph Pasko, commander of the 159th Fighter Squadron. “We expect to play an integral role in potential future conflicts, and our citizen-Airmen stand ready to answer the nation’s call, anytime, anywhere.”
The F-35 brings stealth, sensor fusion and electronic-warfare capabilities, outpacing the fourth-generation Eagles that the 125th Fighter Wing retired late last year. These attributes strengthen the 24/7 homeland defense mission along the southeastern coastline of the United States and contested overseas environments through the Air Force’s Agile Combat Employment, or ACE, model. ACE enables rapid redeployment and agility in contested environments, aiming to make it harder for adversaries to target and neutralize U.S. airpower.
“The Guard’s ability to field fifth-generation aircraft in key regions gives combatant commanders the reach, resilience and rapid response they need,” said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Richard L. Coffey, assistant adjutant general – Air, Florida National Guard, and commander of the Florida Air National Guard. “Jacksonville’s strategic location and joint partnerships expand the Air Force’s options and ensure our Airmen are at the forefront of our nation’s defense.”
The arrival coincides with recent testimony by Department of the Air Force leadership before a Senate defense subcommittee, which stressed the importance of expanding air and space dominance. During the hearing, leaders said the department’s fiscal year 2026 budget request prioritizes defending the homeland and bolstering defenses in the Indo-Pacific region, where China is the pacing threat.
“We now operate in a world where the [People’s Republic of China] is not only rapidly modernizing its military, but doing so with a clear intent to coerce its neighbors and reshape the international order,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin said. “The United States must maintain airpower dominance if we are to safeguard our security, deter aggression and prevail in conflict.”
To receive the Lightning, the base built a new simulator complex, upgraded hangar ventilation for low-observable maintenance, began construction on a climate-controlled weapons-load facility and coordinated with the Jacksonville Aviation Authority to widen taxiways at Jacksonville International Airport.
“Modern hardware and software demand modern skill sets,” said U.S. Air Force Col. Carl Guckenberger, commander of the 125th Maintenance Group. “Our Airmen have embraced the challenge, directly supporting the conversion efforts while simultaneously completing thousands of hours of formal training so our jets are ready to launch on time and on target.”
Nationwide, Jacksonville became the fourth Air National Guard wing to fly the F-35, joining units in Vermont, Wisconsin and Alabama. It’s one of nine Air Force units to have the Lightning II in its inventory.
By Staff Sgt. Jacob Hancock
125th Fighter Wing