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F-35 makes international airshow debut at RIAT
The Royal International Air Tattoo provides a yearly window of opportunity to get up close and personal with the very latest cutting edge military firepower. Few events can rival the intensity, drama and spectacle on offer at what is without doubt the world’s greatest military airshow – a spectacle this year highlighted by the international airshow debut of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter.
No fewer than five F-35s, two STOVL F-35Bs and three conventional F-35As headlined the Air Tattoo, held at Royal Air Force Fairford, Gloucestershire over July 8-10. The three F-35As – from the 56th Fighter Wing, Luke, Arizona and two F-35Bs – from the United States Marine Corps’ VMFAT-501 based at Beaufort, South Carolina – made the trans-Atlantic crossing to participate in RIAT. An F-35B took part in the RIAT flying display, including demonstrating its STOVL capabilities (thanks to the deployment of specially-laid aluminium matting to Fairford). The F-35B was then due to take part in the Farnborough flying display, minus the STOVL demonstration.
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The F-35B is the variant being acquired by the UK for operation by the Royal Air Force/Royal Navy from land bases, deployed locations or the Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers. While the flying display wowed the sell-out crowd of 153,000, the F-35’s presence at RIAT allowed air force personnel from a number of nations to take a closer look at the aircraft for the first time, including Australia’s first commanding officer of an F-35 squadron, Wing Commander Darren Clare. Currently posted to the UK to complete the Advanced Command and Staff Course, WGCDR Clare said that he is looking forward to commencing his appointment as commanding officer of 3 Squadron next year.
an F-35B and two Typhoons; one of the two F-35Bs
on the ground at RIAT; incoming 3SQN CO WGCDR
Darren Clare. uk mod, ian doyle & defence
“I am incredibly proud and humbled to be selected to lead Number 3 Squadron when it receives our first F-35A into Australian service,” he said. “It is a big responsibility but one that I am excited to have. ” Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Leo Davies commented: “The aircraft will bring a new capability to the Royal Australian Air Force, and Darren will have a lot of responsibility to develop the tactics, techniques and procedures for the F-35A to the Australian context and ensure the F-35A is integrated into our fleet through Plan Jericho. ” Beyond the F-35, with over 300 aircraft in attendance at this year’s Air Tattoo the highlights were many. One undoubted crowd pleaser was another of the RAF’s latest acquisitions the Airbus A330 Air Tanker stationed locally at the RAF’s tanker/transport HQ RAF Brize Norton, sharing the apron with its Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A counterpart which was making its debut at RIAT 2016. It was the first time a RAAF aircraft had been on display at RIAT since 2006.
an F-35B and two Typhoons; one of the two F-35Bs
on the ground at RIAT; incoming 3SQN CO WGCDR
Darren Clare. uk mod, ian doyle & defence
Air Tattoo always provides the opportunity to view aircraft with forensic detail, many of which would ordinarily would be ‘out of bounds’ to the general public. This year’s event scored highly with wide participation from the United States, NATO and numerous air arms across the world, including Greece, Japan, Oman, Australia, Pakistan and longest distance participant, the Royal New Zealand Air Force.
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