Lockheed Martin officials said Friday at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando that the first two production F-35A strike fighters slated for delivery to the training wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., later this year, are in final assembly at the company’s Fort Worth, Tex., facility. Per a company release, Steve O’Bryan, Lockheed’s VP of F-35 Business Development and Customer Engagement, said, “The F-35 provides best value in a package that not only deters hostilities but enhances interoperability.” According to a Government Executive report, Pentagon acquisition chief Ash Carter last week was upbeat about Lockheed’s assistance with the F-35 restructuring plan.
Navy Adm. Samuel J. Paparo Jr. assumed leadership of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, succeeding Navy Adm. John Aquilino at a change of command ceremony, urging action amid China's “increasing intrusive and expansionist claims,” on May 3