Wisconsin's Badger Air Militia welcomes the F-35A Lightning II
The 115th Fighter Wing’s transition from the F-16C/D to the F-35A Lightning II has started. Shawn Semzock photographed F-35A serial 18-5413/WI at Luke AFB (AZ) on 2 March 2023.
In October 2022, Scramble Magazine reported on the last 115th Fighter Wing’s WI coded F-16 Fighting Falcon departing Truax Air National Guard Base (WI) and the expected arrival of the first F-35A during the spring of 2023. The 115th FW Badger Air Militia controls two units, the 176th Fighter Squadron Badgers and associated active duty 378th Fighter Squadron.
On 15 April 2020, the Department of the Air Force selected Truax Field - near Madison - (WI) and Dannelly Field - near Montgomery - (AL) as the next two Air National Guard F-35A locations, both units have associated active duty squadrons. The first Air National Guard unit that transitioned to the F-35A was the 134th Fighter Squadron (VT ANG) Green Mountain Boys, part of the 158th FW, at Burlington International (VT). Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (TX) has been selected to host the first F-35As for the Air Force Reserves.
Photo by Shawn Semzock