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U.S. Air Force's F-35A performs first sortie during Middle East deployment

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Jocelyn A. Ford and Staff Sgt. Christopher Thornbury
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing / Public Affairs
An F-35A Lightning II pilot assigned to the 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron dons an anti-gravity suit in preparation for the first combat sortie in the U.S. Air Forces Central Command area of responsibility April 26, 2019, Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. The fleet of F-35s deployed from the 4th Fighter Squadron at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, for the first time in Air Force history. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Jocelyn A. Ford)