U.S. Air Force To Manage Pilot Training On Newest Fighter Jets

The first two of Poland’s fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II fighter aircraft arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, on December 23, 2024, where they will be used to train Polish fighter pilots on the latest generation of combat aircraft.

The 85th Fighter Group of the U.S. Air Force, tenants at Ebbing, will carry out the pilot training on the F-35s under the Foreign Military Sales program.

Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas adjutant general said, “The arrival of Poland’s first F-35s is a significant milestone for our state, the nation and our allies who will train on this fifth-generation fighter at Ebbing Air National Guard Base.

“I’m extremely proud of the whole team in the 188th Wing and the staffs at Razorback Range and Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center for the planning and work that has resulted in the sound of freedom returning to the River Valley today.

“They’ve partnered with the active-duty Air Force to go from concept to jets being parked on the ramp in a compressed timeframe. We are thankful for the dedicated teamwork of those in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, our entire congressional delegation and state elected officials who have moved mountains to make this mission possible in Arkansas.”

Air Force personnel toured potential installations in March 2020 and in 2023 selected Ebbing ANGB over Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and Selfridge ANGB, Michigan, to host the F-35 FMS pilot training mission and a Republic of Singapore’s F-16 squadron.

Future training for F-35 pilots from Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore will also be hosted at Ebbing ANGB in the coming years.

FMI:  www.nationalguard.mil/