Alabama Guard Takes Delivery of First Three F-35s
Story and photos by William Ellison
After years of preparation and saying goodbye to the F-16 in April of 2023 after 35 years of operations, the 187th Fighter Wing has received its first F-35 Lightning II fighter jets at Dannelly Field. The 187th FW Took delivery of the unit’s first F-35’s from Luke AFB on Wednesday December 6th, 2023. The F-35 aircraft that have been received by the 187th FW are 20-5628, 18-5420, 18-5414 which were originally purchased by Turkey but were given to other units at Luke AFB after Turkey was removed from the F-35 program.
Upon landing at Dannelly Field, the aircraft were greeted by Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey as well as family and members of the 187th FW. Lt. Col. Richard Peace was one of the pilots who delivered a jet and gave a speech.
“It is an honor to be able to fly one of the first F-35′s home. I have always looked up to the Tuskegee Airmen and can confidently say we will continue their legacy using the F-35’s. Everyone at the wing has been hard at work preparing for this moment and it is finally here. I am excited to see everyone and to be back after months of pilot training preparing for this special day.”
The lineage of the Red Tails dates back to the P-51 Mustang in World War II, and most recently the F-16 Viper that was divested at the wing in 2022. The F-35 Lightning II will now take its place, charged with continuing to accelerate the Red Tail legacy.
The wing is projected to be fully operational by 2026 with a fleet of 20 F-35 Lightning II fighter jets.
