Lightnings will arrive for operational duties at birthing place location

On 8 January 2021, the Secretary of the Air Force Barbara Barrett, made a decision by naming the 301st Fighter Wing, based at Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth-Carswell Field (TX), as the first Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II operational beddown location.

Being co-located less than a mile from Lockheed Martin's F-35 factory, the 457th Fighter Squadron the Spads, part of the 301st Fighter Wing, will be the first AFRC unit to own, maintain, and operate the Lightning II.

The 457th FS is mainly comprised of reserve citizen Airmen, with the mission to train and deploy combat-ready Airmen.

The wing is the only AFRC fighter unit in the state of Texas. In preparation of the arrival of the F-35A, it is expected that construction workat the base will start soon. From 2024 onwards, the first of 24 TX coded F-35As will be stationed at the base.

The 457th has a long tradition, dating back to October 1944. The squadron was several times inactivated and activated again. The Spads operated the P-51 (1944-1945), F-84 (1953-1957), F-100 (1957-1958), F-105 (1972-1982), F-4 (1981-1991) and F-16 up to date. The unit participated in the World War II, too part in Operation Deny Flight over Bosnia and provided resources for operation Northwern Watch, Southern Watch, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.

Photo: USAF / Patch https://flightlineinsignia.com