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.
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 388th Fighter Wing, 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.
F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team in numbers
The team
- Formation
- 1 aircraft
- Single F-35A demonstration
- Pilot plus about 11 maintainers and support
The aircraft
- Flown
- Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II
- F-35A Lightning II (2019–)
Home
- Based at
- Hill Air Force Base
- 388th Fighter Wing
- Originally Luke AFB, 56th Fighter Wing (2018–2019)
The display
- Aircraft in the display
- 1
Every type F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team has flown
| Aircraft | Years | Number | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II | since 2019 | 1 | Single display aircraft. |
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).
Who leads F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team
- Maj. Sean “Rambo” Loughlin · Commander and demonstration pilot
F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, year by year
Team formed at Luke AFB under the 56th Fighter Wing.
Capt. Andrew Olson debuts the routine at the Heritage Flight Training Course, Davis-Monthan AFB.
Team relocates to Hill AFB and the 388th Fighter Wing; Maj. Kristin Wolfe takes over.
Maj. Melanie Kluesner becomes commander and pilot.
Maj. Sean Loughlin certified as commander at the Heritage Flight Training Course.
Display at FIDAE 2026, Santiago, Chile.
Everything people ask about F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team
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Around F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team
Every fact, checked
- F-35A Demonstration Team, Wikipedia
- New pilot announced to lead F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team, Hill Air Force Base
- F-35 Demo Team debuts with new dynamic aerobatic routine at Davis-Monthan AFB, The Aviationist
- US Southern Command post on the F-35A Demo Team at FIDAE 2026
Verified 2026-10-02.