Sources: General approves F-35 flight ops

The head of Air Education and Training Command has approved test pilots at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., to begin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flight operations next week, sources said Friday.

Eglin’s two qualified test pilots, Air Force Lt. Col. Eric Smith and Marine Maj. Joseph Bachmann, will take to the air on Tuesday, weather permitting.

The decision was made by Air Force Gen. Edward Rice, commander of Air Education and Training Command.

The seasoned aviators will fly a series of local area flights in order to gauge the readiness of 33rd Fighter Wing’s new F-35As and assess the robustness of the unit’s maintenance procedures.

Once the aircraft and maintenance procedures prove they are up to the task of running a full training syllabus, AETC will authorize the wing to start spinning-up new instructor pilots and students.

Smith and Bachmann will serve as instructors for the rest of the wing’s aviators. The Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps have assembled some of their most talented pilots to form the initial cadre at 33rd Fighter Wing.