Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 1, 2023. As Tyndall transitions to the new mission, the 325th Fighter Wing will fill National Defense Strategy objectives to deter strategic attacks and aggression presented by adversaries, defend the homeland and prepare for conflict if necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023. As Tyndall AFB transitions to the new mission, the 325th Fighter Wing will fill National Defense Strategy objectives to deter strategic attacks and aggression presented by adversaries, defend the homeland and prepare for conflict if necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    










Family waves at aircraftFamily members observe an F-35A Lightning II as the aircraft taxis on the flightline for the first time at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023. The aircraft is the first of more than 70 F-35s scheduled to arrive to the 325th Fighter Wing fleet, filling three projected squadrons as Tyndall AFB simultaneously rebuilds into the "Installation of the Future." (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany Del Oso)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    









Col. George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander, prepares to exit an F-35A Lightning II at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023. The F-35 is the first visual representation of the 325th FW’s mission change, bringing the 95th Fighter Squadron and aircraft back to the flightline of Tyndall AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)Col. George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander, prepares to exit an F-35A Lightning II at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023. The F-35 is the first visual representation of the 325th FW’s mission change, bringing the 95th Fighter Squadron and aircraft back to the flightline of Tyndall AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 1, 2023. As Tyndall transitions to the new mission, the 325th Fighter Wing will fill National Defense Strategy objectives to deter strategic attacks and aggression presented by adversaries, defend the homeland and prepare for conflict if necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II taxis at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023. As Tyndall AFB transitions to the new mission, the 325th Fighter Wing will fill National Defense Strategy objectives to deter strategic attacks and aggression presented by adversaries, defend the homeland and prepare for conflict if necessary. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
        
        Family waves at aircraftFamily members observe an F-35A Lightning II as the aircraft taxis on the flightline for the first time at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023. The aircraft is the first of more than 70 F-35s scheduled to arrive to the 325th Fighter Wing fleet, filling three projected squadrons as Tyndall AFB simultaneously rebuilds into the "Installation of the Future." (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany Del Oso)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
        
        Col. George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander, prepares to exit an F-35A Lightning II at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023. The F-35 is the first visual representation of the 325th FW’s mission change, bringing the 95th Fighter Squadron and aircraft back to the flightline of Tyndall AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)Col. George Watkins, 325th Fighter Wing commander, prepares to exit an F-35A Lightning II at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., Aug. 1, 2023. The F-35 is the first visual representation of the 325th FW’s mission change, bringing the 95th Fighter Squadron and aircraft back to the flightline of Tyndall AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Stefan Alvarez)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res
F-35 aircraft touch down at Tyndall AFBPublished Aug. 2, 2023
                    
                    By Senior Airman Tiffany Del Oso
                    
                    
                    325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
            **TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) --**As the Air Force continues to evolve by modernizing its capabilities and maintaining air superiority in an ever-changing global security landscape,**Tyndall Air Force Base**has officially transitioned from an air dominance training mission to a fully combat capable **F-35A Lightning II**fighter wing.Family waves at aircraftFamily members observe a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II observe as the aircraft taxis on the flight line for the first time at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida, Aug. 1, 2023. The aircraft are the first of more than 70 F-35s slated to arrive to the 325th Fighter Wing fleet, filling three projected squadrons as Tyndall simultaneously rebuilds into the ‘Installation of the Future’. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Tiffany Del Oso)
            
            
            Photo Details /
                Download Hi-Res

    









This transition was cemented with the touchdown of the first three F-35s Aug. 1. 

“The arrival of the F-35 marks a new chapter for Tyndall,” said**Col. George Watkins**, 325th Fighter Wing commander. “It represents the introduction of the most advanced and technologically sophisticated fighter aircraft into the 325th Fighter Wing’s operational fleet.”

Transitioning to a combat-oriented mission set is a historical milestone as the F-35’s arrival is a catalyst for advancing airpower capabilities, ensuring air superiority and showcasing the resilience and adaptability of both the ‘**Installation of the Future**’and the Air Force.

The F-35 provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness and reduced vulnerability for the U.S. and allied nations. The jet’s capabilities place the 325th Fighter Wing at the forefront of the Air Force’s priority to lead the defense community in maintaining a technologically superior warfighting force of the future.

“Standing up three operational F-35 fighter squadrons at Tyndall(AFB) increases Air Force lethality and combat readiness,” Watkins said. “It’s a move that aligns with **National Defense Strategy**objectives to deter and combat aggression for the United States’ adversaries.”

Tyndall AFB’s gaining of the F-35 elevates global deterrence to another level. The 325th FW’s prime location labels it as a critical asset due to the direct access to the Eastern Gulf of Mexico and the Gulf Range complex. Once the fighter squadrons are fully operational, Tyndall AFB aircraft will participate in large-scale exercises aimed at improving interoperability between 4th and 5th-gen airframes as well as joint force operations. The change in mission set shifts Tyndall AFB into the **Air Force Force Generation model**, as a lead wing capable of worldwide deployment operations and homeland defense.

Joining the growing international F-35 communities, Tyndall AFB’s acceptance of the aircraft encourages strong collaboration between allied partners across global theaters while propelling the 325th FW into an offensive state to gain a competitive edge over adversaries.

“Tyndall(AFB) has a rich history of hosting and supporting cutting-edge aircraft and missions,” Watkins said. “From its early days as a gunnery range, to its role as a 5th-generation aircraft training and operational hub, the arrival of the F-35s maintains Tyndall (AFB)'s pivotal role in shaping the future of air warfare.”LR 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



Air Combat Command 



ACC 



Tyndall 



F-35 Lightning II 



combat ready 



Tyndall AFB 



325th FW 



fighter jet 



AFFORGEN Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil