F-35A Demonstration Team

F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team
The F-35A Demo Team performs a weapons bay doors pass
Active2018–present
CountryUnited States
Branch United States Air Force
RoleAerobatic display team
Size1 officer
11 enlisted support personnel
Part ofAir Combat Command
Garrison/HQHill Air Force Base
Davis County, Utah
EquipmentF-35A Lightning II
Websitehttps://www.388fw.acc.af.mil/F-35A-Demo-Team/
Commanders
Current CommanderCaptain Melanie "Mach" Kluesner

The F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team is a United States Air Force flight demonstration team under the 388th Fighter Wing currently stationed at Hill Air Force Base in Davis County, Utah. The team flies the USAF's F-35A fighter jet at airshows performing air maneuvers that demonstrate the supermaneuverability of the F-35A. Examples of these demonstrations include the minimum radius turn to high alpha loop, weapons bay door pass, pedal turn, slow speed to power climb and tactical pitch.[1]

The demonstration team was founded in late 2018 and was originally stationed at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona,[2] It moved to Hill Air Force Base in 2019.[3]

The current demonstration pilot and commander of the team is Captain Melanie "Mach" Kluesner. [4] Captain Kluesner takes over for the former demonstration pilot and team commander, Major Kristin "Beo" Wolfe.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "F-35 Demo Team pilot practices new maneuvers". Luke Air Force Base. 22 January 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  2. ^ "How The F-35 Demo Team Is Changing Minds About the Joint Strike Fighter Program". The Aviationist. 3 June 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  3. ^ "Air Force F-35A demo team to move from Glendale base to Utah". AZ Central. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 13 April 2023.
  4. ^ "F-35 Demo Team announces new pilot and commander".
  5. ^ "Maj. Kristin Wolfe: A Trailblazing Legacy in the Skies". DVIDS. 11 March 2024. Retrieved 1 June 2024.
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