Polish Air Force‘s F-35A Jets Arrive in the U.S. for Pilot Training
In a significant milestone for the Polish Air Force’s modernization plans, the first two Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II jets have arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in the United States. The aircraft, designated "Husarz" in honor of the legendary Polish winged hussars, have begun their journey to train Polish pilots in this fifth-generation stealth fighter.
The Polish airmen will undergo training with the 85th Fighter Group of the U.S. Air Force, a program established under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) initiative. Ebbing Air National Guard Base was selected as the FMS F-35 pilot training center in March 2023, with the 33rd Fighter Wing reactivating the 85th Fighter Group and the 57th Fighter Squadron to facilitate this mission.
General Brigadier Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ Assistant Adjutant General, hailed the arrival of Poland’s F-35s as a significant event for the state, the nation, and allied nations that will train on this advanced aircraft. He praised the collaborative efforts of the 188th Wing, Razorback Range, and Fort Chaffee’s Joint Maneuver Training Center, along with Arkansas’ congressional delegation and state officials, for making this mission a reality.
Ebbing Air National Guard Base was chosen over other potential sites, including Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan. In the coming years, the base will also host pilots from Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore, further expanding the global footprint of the F-35A Lightning II.
The Polish Air Force aims to replace its aging Soviet-designed aircraft, such as the MiG-29 and Su-22, with 32 F-35A Lightning IIs. This acquisition will not only enhance Poland’s air power but also strengthen its commitment to NATO and regional security.
As the F-35A jets continue to arrive at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, the Polish Air Force takes a significant step towards a more modern and capable air force, ready to face the challenges of the 21st century.
