Pacific Air Forces chief Gen. Lori Robinson has set up an “F-35 Integration Office” for her command, even though deployment of the fighter in the Pacific is still potentially years away. Robinson, speaking with defense writers in Washington, D.C., said the office will build on the experience of flying the stealthy F-22 in the Pacific theater, and begin laying the groundwork for a joint employment doctrine, since the Marine Corps, Australia, Japan, Korea, and potentially other Pacific region partners will also operate the jet. The Marine Corps has already signed on to participate with the office, as it will be first in theater to deploy the F-35, she said.
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.