First Belgian F-35 engineers graduate in US
The first technicians responsible for the maintenance of the Belgian F-35 fighter aircraft have completed their training at the US Air Force base in Eglin, Florida, the Ministry of Defence announced on Wednesday. A total of 120 technical profiles are being trained, 48 pilots and 14 flight instructors.
A total of 36 students participated in the training. Most of them will provide technical support for the F-35 at the Florennes air base, which is currently under construction. The first aircraft will be delivered in 2025.
The Belgian military followed the training at the US Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. The training includes theory and practical lessons on mock-ups of full-size aircraft. Some of the lessons are given by instructors from the manufacturer Lockheed Martin.
Further training in Arizona
The Ministry of Defence said the technicians had "passed with flying colours". The next stage of their training will take place at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, near Phoenix. There, the technicians will spend three to six months gaining additional practical experience by training on real aircraft.
These technicians will be responsible for maintaining the aircraft at Florennes Air Base in Namur, which is currently under construction. The first F-35s are expected there in 2025 and at Kleine-Brogel in 2027.
F-35 pilots will also be trained in Arizona. The length of the training depends on the pilot's experience. If they have flown the F-16, the pilot must complete six weeks of academic instruction, 36 simulator sessions and 26 real-world flights.
In October 2018, the federal government decided to buy 34 F-35s at a cost of 3.8 billion euros to replace Belgium's ageing F-16 fleet. The purchase also includes eight flight simulators.
© BELGA PHOTO YORICK JANSENS
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