The 522 Expeditionary Fighter Squadron, which has been deployed to Andersen AFB, Guam, from Cannon AFB, N.M. as part of the Air Force’s regular rotation of fighters and bombers to the Pacific region, took the opportunity to engage in rapid response sorties, closing on the “threat” aircraft at supersonic speeds, reports TSgt. Steven Wilson. Viper pilot Capt. Jason Monaco said, “The ability to complete rapid and safe intercepts of hostile aircraft allows senior leaders to make timely decisions regarding our strategies to best deal with the bad guys.”
It'll take up to 18 months for Lockheed Martin to deliver the 100 or so F-35s that went directly from production line to storage, awaiting the completion of Tech Refresh 3 testing. Customers haven't complained about the order in which the backlog is being delivered.