In a notable achievement, Airmen from the 388th Fighter Wing have successfully restored an F-35A Lightning II aircraft, merging the remnants of two damaged jets into a single operational unit.
This marks the first instance of maintainers creating an airworthy F-35A by combining components from separate aircraft.
The restoration project stemmed from the need to salvage an aircraft damaged in a nose gear collapse in 2020 at Hill Air Force Base, while the other had suffered an engine fire at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida in 2014.
This interagency initiative involved collaboration among key entities, including the F-35 Joint Program Office, the Ogden Air Logistics Complex, the 388th Fighter Wing, and Lockheed Martin.
Throughout the restoration process, teams at Hill developed specialized tools, stands, and equipment to aid in merging various aircraft sections, with much of the initial work accomplished at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex.
The aircraft was returned to the 388th Fighter Wing in November 2023.
Scott Taylor, Lockheed Martin’s lead mechanical engineer for the project, noted that the methods and resources implemented during this phase could be valuable for aircraft repairs in combat settings.
For the past year, the restored aircraft has been housed within the 4th Fighter Generation Squadron, where maintainers have been focused on completing its restoration.
Senior Airman Jaguar Arnold, serving as the crew chief for the aircraft, acknowledged the extensive challenges faced during the rebuilding process.
