190131-F-OD616-0006
A crew chief, assigned to the 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, prepares to launch an F-35A Lightning II, Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, Jan. 31, 2019. Pilots and maintainers from the 388th Fighter Wing's 4th Fighter Squadron and 4th Aircraft Maintenance Unit are participating in Red Flag 19-1 at Nellis AFB, Nevada. This is wing's second Red Flag with the F-35A, America's most advanced multi-role fighter, which brings game-changing stealth, lethality and interoperability to the modern battlefield. Red Flag is the Air Force's premier combat exercise and includes units from across the Air Force and allied nations. The 388th is the lead wing for Red Flag 19-1. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)