F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team

F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team

Air Combat Command’s single-ship F-35A display, flown since 2019 and now run by the 388th Fighter Wing at Hill, using the jet’s high-alpha handling rather than pure speed.

2018创立
F-35A飞机
1In the display
积极的地位
Photo: Staff Sgt. Thomas Barley / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
操作员美国空军国家美国类型Solo displayHome base希尔空军基地地位积极的
故事

F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team: how the team came to be and what it flies today

Luke, Dojo and a new routine

The F-35A Demonstration Team was formed in late 2018 at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, under the 56th Fighter Wing, after earlier F-35 appearances had been limited to Heritage Flight passes. Captain Andrew “Dojo” Olson unveiled the first full aerobatic routine at the Heritage Flight Training Course at Davis-Monthan in late February 2019. The display includes a minimum-radius turn into a high-alpha loop, a weapons-bay-door pass, a pedal turn and a slow-speed pass followed by a power climb.

Hill and the 388th Fighter Wing

In 2019 the team moved to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where it is run by the 第388战斗机联队, the first operational F-35A wing. Major Kristin “Beo” Wolfe took over the same year and flew the display for almost five seasons, until March 2024, followed by Major Melanie “Mach” Kluesner.

Pilots and reach

Major Sean “Rambo” Loughlin of the 421st Fighter Squadron, who had served as one of Kluesner’s safety observers, was certified as commander at the 2026 Heritage Flight Training Course at Davis-Monthan. He leads a team of about 11 maintainers and support staff. The 2026 season planned some 20 shows in the United States between March and November, and the team displayed abroad at FIDAE 2026 in Santiago, Chile, in April.

In 2019 the team moved to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, where it is run by the 第388战斗机联队, the first operational F-35A wing.F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team · verified 2026-10-02

一览

F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team in numbers

The team

Formation
1架飞机

  • Single F-35A demonstration
  • Pilot plus about 11 maintainers and support

飞机

Flown
洛克希德·马丁F-35A闪电II战斗机

  • F-35A Lightning II (2019–)

家

Based at
希尔空军基地

  • 第388战斗机联队
  • Originally Luke AFB, 56th Fighter Wing (2018–2019)

The display

Aircraft in the display
1

飞机

Every type F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team has flown

飞机 年 Number 笔记
洛克希德·马丁F-35A闪电II战斗机 since 2019 1 Single display aircraft.

Known for

What F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team is known for

  • Debut of the first F-35A aerobatic routine at Davis-Monthan AFB, February–March 2019 (The Aviationist).
  • Maj. Kristin Wolfe flew the demonstration for nearly five years, 2019–2024 (Wikipedia).
  • Displayed at FIDAE 2026 in Chile (US Southern Command).

The pilots

Who leads F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team

  • Maj. Sean “Rambo” Loughlin · Commander and demonstration pilot

时间线

F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, year by year

2018

Team formed at Luke AFB under the 56th Fighter Wing.

2019

Capt. Andrew Olson debuts the routine at the Heritage Flight Training Course, Davis-Monthan AFB.

2019

Team relocates to Hill AFB and the 388th Fighter Wing; Maj. Kristin Wolfe takes over.

2024

Maj. Melanie Kluesner becomes commander and pilot.

2026

Maj. Sean Loughlin certified as commander at the Heritage Flight Training Course.

2026

Display at FIDAE 2026, Santiago, Chile.


问答

Everything people ask about F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team

Where is the F-35A Demo Team based?
At Hill Air Force Base, Utah, with the 388th Fighter Wing.
When was the F-35A Demo Team formed?
In late 2018 at Luke AFB, Arizona; it flew its first full routine in early 2019 and moved to Hill the same year.
How many aircraft does the F-35A Demo Team fly?
One F-35A in a solo display.
Who is the F-35A demo pilot?
Maj. Sean “Rambo” Loughlin of the 421st Fighter Squadron was certified as commander for 2026.