HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah – A contingent of F-35A Lightning II aircraft and Airman from the Royal Netherlands Air and Space Force recently arrived here to conduct a pre-planned training exercise. During the exercise, the active duty 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings will conduct local night-flying operations alongside the Dutch throughout March.
“Lightning Forge” is a Netherlands Air Combat Command exercise in which they will train to improve teamwork and interoperability with the United States Air Force.
Night flying is scheduled to be completed by 11 p.m. most days. Exact days and times may vary based on factors including weather, airspace availability on the Utah Test and Training Range, and other support elements.
Airmen must train at night for pilots and maintainers to retain and hone their 24/7 combat readiness and flying capabilities. Night flying is limited to what is required for the wings to remain proficient in those skills for deployments.
Hill AFB is home to the 388th and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings, which are the Air Force's first combat-capable F-35A units. Both wings fly and maintain the jet in a Total Force partnership, capitalizing on the strength of Air Force active-duty and Reserve components.