Italy became the first non-US country to receive operational F-35 Lightning IIs on Dec. 12, according to IHS Jane’s. The two F-35As were delivered to the 32nd Wing at Amendola Air Force Base, where they will be part of the newly created 13 Squadron. Italy is the only F-35 partner nation besides Japan to have its own Final Assembly and Check Out facility, which is located at Cameri. Italy has ordered a total of 60 F-35As and 30 F-35Bs. The last aircraft is scheduled to be delivered by 2027.
The U.S. military is carrying out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions along the southern border and off the coast of Mexico using U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint and U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft as part of the Pentagon’s effort to secure the southern border at the direction of President…