2015: Received the first two operational F-35A Lightning II aircraft at Hill Air Force Base on September 2, marking the beginning of the wing's transition to the fifth-generation fighter.
2016: Air Force Declared initial operational capability and combat-ready status for the F-35A on August 2.
2017: The wing took the F-35A to Red Flag for the first time, introducing the platform’s stealth and lethality. “They could never see us.” This year also marked the first overseas trip for the new platform when the 34th Fighter Squadron visited Lakenheath Air Base in the United Kingdom.
2018: F-35 flight simulators come online at Hill Air Force Base to boost tactical training capabilities. With an eye to the future the 388th FW develops BOLT program to reduce deployed maintenance footprint.
2019: Conducted the first combat deployment of the F-35A to Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates, demonstrating real-world operational capabilities with the first combat strike during Operation Inherent Resolve. The wing demonstrated global reach with all three squadrons deployed simultaneously.
2020: Achieved full warfighting capability with the delivery of the 78th F-35A and a successful 52-aircraft combat power exercise in January. The F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team is assigned to the wing and completes their first season.
2021: Integrating lessons from prior programs, the wing develops cutting edge training for maintainers, focusing on efficiencies for F-35A agile combat deployments.
2022: Deployed F-35A aircraft to NATO's eastern flank, enhancing alliance defense and interoperability in Europe.
2023: Participated in Agile Flag 23-1, the first large off-station exercise using the new Multi-Capable Airman (MCA) construct for F-35A operations.
2024: Created and conducted the first large-scale regional agile combat employment exercise with Airmen spread across Utah, Idaho and Nevada.
2025: Demonstrated the competency and maturity of the field level maintenance program by completing the restoration and first flight of the F-35A "Franken-jet", combining structures from two damaged aircraft to return an operational F-35 to the fleet.
Hill AFB is home to 78 F-35A Lightning IIs. The 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings are the Air Force's first combat-capable F-35A units and fly and maintain the jet in a Total Force partnership, which capitalizes on the strength of both components.