The first F-35 sporting with the ‘TX’ has been officially taken on charge by the “Spads” at NAS JRB Fort Worth in Texas.
Nearly a month after the F-35A Lightning II with a “TX” tail code (tail number 22-5786), piloted by a Lockheed Martin test pilot, flew bearing the markings of the 457th Fighter Squadron/301st Fighter Wing at NAS JRB (Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base) Fort Worth, Texas, the aircraft was finally received by the 301 FW on Nov. 5, 2024. The “TX” tail code represents the F-35’s home unit of the 301 FW, which is the first Air Force Reserve Command’s first stand-alone F-35 wing.
Prior to that, on Nov. 2, a First Aircraft Arrival ceremony was held at Fort Worth, at the presence of an aircraft (number 5709), with “HL” tail code, on loan from Utah’s Hill AFB (Air Force Base). The event was attended by approximately 400 guests. This included unit personnel and AFRC (Air Force Reserve Command) officials, elected officials and industry partners.
The 301 FW is set to become the first Air Force Reserve unit to operate the F-35A independently, without being tied to an active duty counterpart. It is also the only Air Force Reserve fighter unit based at Texas, which was chosen in 2021 to become the Air Force Reserve Command’s first stand-alone F-35 wing responsible “for owning, maintaining and operating the F-35A mission.”
“The 301st Fighter Wing celebrated a milestone Saturday, Nov. 2, with a ceremony marking the arrival of its first F-35A Lightning II, officially positioning the wing as the Air Force Reserve’s first stand-alone F-35 unit.”https://t.co/QUp9NvrNrD pic.twitter.com/jNgSE2VCUR
— Doha (@Doha104p3) November 5, 2024
At the ceremony on Nov. 2, meanwhile, officials stressed the importance of the F-35 as a frontline weapon in future conflicts, that represents “next generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness and reduced vulnerability for U.S. and allied forces.”
First Aircraft Arrival ceremony
The ceremony and the “TX” coded F-35A’s coincided with the 301st FW celebrating “significant milestones over the past two years.” Its commander, Col. Benjamin Harrison said the 301 FW has more than 500 of its members currently serving in various combat commands worldwide. Its personnel have flown over 499 combat sorties; logging more than 3,100 hours in global missions; processed over 1,400 short tons of cargo; managed the retirement of three F-16 aircraft; and divested 18 F-16s with $20 million worth of support equipment.
The First Aircraft Arrival ceremony also saw cockpit demonstrator being delivered to the 301 FW, to be used by pilots and crews to practice flying and maintenance of the aircraft. The simulator replicates the jet’s flying characteristics and systems.
Col. Harrison stressed on the significance and capabilities of the F-35: “One can’t help but wonder how fast, how far, how high this aircraft can go. The 301st is ready to embrace this new era, and the F-35 is our vehicle to achieving sustainable air superiority,” he was quoted in the release. NAS JRB Fort Worth’s commanding officer, U.S. Navy’s Captain Beau Hufstetler underscored its importance to both the wing and broader base community.
“Seeing these beautiful jets parked on our side of the runway is a remarkable sight. It’s a nod to the strategic importance of both the F-35 and the Airmen who will maintain and operate them in support of our nation, as all services on this base work together to prepare for the high-end fight,” said Hufstetler.
“TX” 22-5786 also finally delivered to 301st Fighter Wing
Three days after the First Aircraft Arrival ceremony, the 301 FW (nicknamed the “Spads”) received the F-35A with the “TX” tail code (5786). That aircraft had first flown from the U.S. Air Force-owned Lockheed Martin facility on Oct. 15, 2024. Flown by the 457th Fighter Squadron’s (457 FS) Lt. Col. Gregory “Smack” Balzisher, it was received at the hangar by Col. Harrison and commander of the 301st Maintenance Squadron, Major Stacy Chavez, on Nov. 5.
After landing at NAS JRB Fort Worth, the F-35A taxied on the flightline for the first time on Nov. 5. Pictures shared with The Aviationist by Victoria Fontana showed 5786 (callsign Mustang 11) taxiing out from the Lockheed Martin facility around 10 am on Nov. 5, for its delivery to the 301 FW “Spads”.
That picture also showed another F-35A with Utah’s Hill AFB (Air Force Base) tail markings. As The Aviationist had explained in the report about the “TX” tail coded 5786’s Oct. 15 first flight, the 457th FS has been operating three F-35As on loan from the Hill AFB, since August. On Aug. 8, 2024. 301 FS received its first two F-35A Lightning II jets (followed by another one) to replace their aging F-16 C/Ds at NAS JRB Fort Worth.
These initial jets sport the Hill AFB’s markings (“HL”) on their tails that reached the 301 FW straight from the factory. They would be eventually reassigned to the Hill AFB’s 419th Fighter Wing, the Air Force Reserve’s other F-35A unit. The 301 FW at NAS JRB Fort Worth, Texas is part of the 10th Air Force, which is scheduled to receive a total of 26 total F-35A Lightning II aircraft over the next 9-12 months.
