Wisconsin Air National Guard receives three F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jets

Last week, the Air National Guard's second unit received its first F-35 Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jets. The three aircraft arrived at Truax Field, Wisconsin.

Here's What We Know

The Wisconsin Air National Guard's 115th Fighter Regiment has been working to get the fifth-generation fighters for several years. The final decision to send the F-35 to Truax Field was made in April 2020.

The fifth-generation fighters are intended to replace the older F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft. The last F-16 left the airbase in mid-fall last year. Eventually, the 115th Air Regiment will receive 18 F-35 Lightning II fighters instead of 21 F-16 Fighting Falcon aircraft.

The first Air National Guard unit to receive the F-35 was the Vermont Air National Guard's 158th Fighter Regiment. This happened in September 2019. The 187th Air Regiment in Alabama will receive its first fifth-generation fighters in December. The F-35s will also be deployed at National Guard Air Force bases in Massachusetts and Florida.

Source: 115th Fighter Wing