The US Air Force (USAF) has employed the Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) in combat mission for the first time.
An image released by the USAF of one of two F-35As enroute to its first combat mission show the aircraft configured for non-stealthy operations, with externally-mounted AIM-9X Sidewinder short-range air-to-air missiles and Luneburg lens radar reflectors. (US Air Force)
The US Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) announced on 30 April that two aircraft conducted an air strike at Wadi Ashai, Iraq, in support of Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve.
According to AFCENT, the aircraft conducted the airstrike using a joint direct attack munition (JDAM) to strike an entrenched Islamic State tunnel network and weapons cache deep in the Hamrin Mountains, a location able to threaten friendly forces.
News of the strike comes about two weeks after AFCENT announced that an undisclosed number of aircraft from the active duty 388th Fighter Wing (FW) and reserve 419th FW at Hill Air Force Base in Utah had been deployed to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates for the F-35A’s first combat deployment. AFCENT did not disclose how long the deployment would last.
The multirole F-35A is currently being operated in the Block 3F (full combat capability) configuration. As such, it is cleared to carry a range of air-to-air and air-to-surface weaponry in two internal bays and on 11 external hardpoints.
While this mission marks a milestone for the USAF, the Israeli Air Force and US Marine Corps have previously used the F-35A and F-35B respectively in combat.
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