Tyndall Air Force Base next location for three F-35A squadrons

Tyndall AFB (FL) will be the official location for three new Lockheed Martin F-35A Lightning II squadrons.

According to USAF officials, the air base was selected because of numerous attributes, including infrastructure capability, quality of life for airmen and airspace. The selection process included a thorough environmental impact analysis, in accordance with the National Environmental Policy Act.

The decision followed a 2018 proposal by the USAF to base Lightning IIs at Tyndall after extensive damage from Hurricane Michael prompted the base’s re-design to become the Department of Defense’s first Installation of the Future. This has allowed the Air Force to rebuild the base to accommodate the unique needs of the Lightning II.

The F-35As will be delivered to three fighter squadrons within the 325th Fighter Wing in multiple phases, with the first aircraft planned to arrive in September 2023. Each squadron will have 24 F-35As assigned; totaling 72 aircraft assigned to Tyndall’s Fighter Wing once full mission capability is achieved.

The 325th FW currently operates two TY-coded squadrons with the F-22A Raptor, 43rd Fighter Squadron Hornets and 95th FS Mr. Bones. Next to these two fighter squadrons the wing operates the 2nd Flight Training Squadron American Beagle Squadron with the T-38A Talon.

US Air Force photo by 1st Lt Savanah Bray