Two US pilots from the 33rd Fighter Wing fly over the training range near Eglin AFB during the unit’s first F-35 formation flight on 10 April 2012. Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the 58th Fighter Squadron director of operations, flew the lead F-35A while Marine Maj. Joseph Bachmann, Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 (VMFAT-501) aircraft maintenance officer, flew as wingman. The pilots, both the first in their service qualified to fly the F-35, were validating pilot syllabus objectives in preparation for future training. The 33rd FW is responsible for F-35A/B/C pilot and maintainer training for the US Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, and, in the future, at least eight coalition partners.
