An F-35A starts to taxi to the runway as it begins its homeward journey to Hill Air Force Base in Utah. On August 2 the USAF declared their F-35A Lightning II fighter fleet combat ready.
LOCKHEED MARTIN'S F-35A AND BOEING'S SUPER HORNET COMPETE FOR SPOTLIGHT AT ANNUAL AIRSHOW
Esprit de Corps was on hand at the Abbotsford International Airshow in British Columbia as the most advanced version of the Boeing Super Hornet and the Lockheed Martin F-35 both made their Canadian debuts. The show ran from August 12 to 14.
Boeing test pilot Ty “Grouch” Frautschi, a retired U.S. Navy fighter pilot, goes over last-minute instructions with Esprit de Corps journalist David Pugliese before a flight in the Super Hornet.
The Super Hornet conducted flypasts for the airshow crowd. In addition, Esprit de Corps reporter David Pugliese also flew in the aircraft on a separate flight as Boeing highlighted the capabilities of the plane it hopes Canada will select as its new fighter jet.
Two F-35As flew up from Hill Air Force Base in Utah for the show. The aircraft on static display attracted a lot of interest from crowds. Esprit de Corps was also on hand to capture the moment when the aircraft flew back to their home base in Utah.
A USAF F-35A sits in a hangar at the Abbotsford International Airshow, August 12–14, 2016.
The USAF recently declared the F-35A as ready for combat. F-35 pilots LCol George Watkins and LCol Curtis Pitts, who were in Abbotsford, both described flying the aircraft as an amazing experience. “We could go to war tomorrow with the F-35 if needed,” Pitts told Esprit de Corps. “The capabilities it provides are outstanding.”
In the November and December issues, Esprit deb Corps will provide an in-depth look at the process to replace the RCAF’s CF-18s.
