Nellis F-35A Lightning II takes first flight

U.S. Air Force Capt. Brad Matherne, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron pilot, views flightline activity inside an F-35A Lightning II before a training mission April 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The 422nd TES will design the tactics for the F-35A. The squadron will also determine how to integrate the F-35A with other aircraft in the Air Force inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)

Nellis F-35A Lightning II takes first flight

U.S. Air Force Capt. Brad Matherne, 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron pilot, conducts pre-flight checks inside an F-35A Lightning II before a training mission April 4, 2013, at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The F-35A will be integrated into advanced training programs such as the USAF Weapons School, Red Flag and Green Flag exercises. (U.S. Air Force photo/Senior Airman Brett Clashman)

Nellis accepts delivery of F-35 with ceremony

Orlando Carvalho, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics executive vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, speaks during the F-35A Lightning II arrival ceremony March 19, 2013, in the Thunderbird Hangar at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. In his position as program manager, Carvalho was responsible for the successful completion of the system development and demonstration program, production, flight testing, global deployment and sustainment of the three F-35 variants for 13 military services in nine partner countries and two foreign military sales customers. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. William P. Coleman)

Nellis accepts delivery of F-35 with ceremony

The Nellis Air Force Base Honor Guard marches towards the stage to post the colors at the F-35A Lighting II arrival ceremony March 19, 2013, in the Thunderbird Hangar at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron will design tactics for the F-35 and determine how to integrate it with other aircraft in the Air Force inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. William P. Coleman)

Nellis accepts delivery of F-35 with ceremony

Maj. Gen. Jeffery Lofgren, U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, provides remarks during the F-35A Lightning II arrival ceremony March 19, 2013, in the Thunderbird Hangar on Nellis Air Force Base, Nev. The 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron will design the tactics for the F-35A. The squadron will also determine how to integrate the F-35A with other aircraft in the Air Force inventory. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lawrence Crespo)

F-35 Arrival

(To the right of the nose gear) Maj. Gen. Jeff Lofgren (left), U.S. Air Force Warfare Center commander, and Brig. Gen. Charles Moore (right), 57th Wing commander, wait to greet the pilots of the two F-35 Lighting IIs that arrived at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev., March 6, 2013. The aircraft are assigned to the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron and its modern engine delivers more than 60 percent more thrust than other aircraft of the same weight. (U.S. Air Force photo by Lawrence Crespo)