Israel has taken delivery of its first F-35 jet fighters, making the U.S. ally the only country in the Middle East to incorporate the fifth-generation aircraft into its arsenal, according to a report in Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin.
The 618th Air Operations Center, based at Scott Air Force Base in Illinois, had a key role in the delivery.
The command center assigned the Tennessee Air National Guard’s 134th Air Refueling Wing, New Hampshire Air National Guard’s 157th ARW and the ANG’s 171st ARW out of Pennsylvania to refuel the first two jets delivered to Israel while they made the transcontinental trip.
“We always need to be at the top of our game,” Tennessee ANG KC-135 commander Maj. John Hale said. “That’s especially the case when enabling the delivery of Israel’s first fifth generation fighters with a 52-year-old aircraft.”
American service members in the fleet are providing some type of aircraft support operation every 2.8 minutes somewhere around the globe.
Israel has worked with the U.S. to develop its military capabilities for years, and the new aircraft will add options to the Israel Defense Forces.
“It is an honor to help ensure the delivery of F-35s to a valued ally,” said Gen. Carlton Everhart, the Air Mobility Command commander. “Aerial refueling missions enable global reach for the United States and partner nations. Air Mobility Command Airmen and aircraft enable global effects and create bridges of support for partner nations on a daily basis.”
For the rest of this report, and more, please go to Joseph Farah’s G2 Bulletin.
