200421-F-JH697-1480

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Krutke, an F-35 avionics system craftsman with the 356th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU), prepares to place chalks for one of the first of two F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation aircraft assigned to the 356th Fighter Squadron after its arrival at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. The F-35A, the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter, brings an enhanced capability to survive in the advanced threat environment in which it was designed to operate, and the Airmen of 356th AMU will ensure the jets are prepared for their combat-coded mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik)

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200421-F-SR682-0092

The first two U.S Air Force F-35A Lighting II fifth-generation fighters assigned to the 356th Fighter Squadron, join the 18th Aggressor Squadron at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. The F-35As assigned to Eielson will join a team of joint and international partners in the Indo-Pacific theater, modernizing defense capabilities in the region and enabling international interoperability. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Martin)

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200421-F-SR682-0128

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Mashek and Staff Sgt. Steven Krutke, both from the 356th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, perform post flight procedures on the squadron’s first assigned F-35A Lighting II fifth-generation fighter at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. With the arrival of the jets at Eielson, the U.S. Air Force joins the Royal Australian Air Force, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Republic of Korea Air Force as partner nations with F-35s permanently stationed in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Martin)

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200421-F-JH697-1419

U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. James Christensen, the 356th Fighter Squadron (FS) commander, takes direction from Staff Sgt. Christopher Mashek, a 356th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU) F-35 dedicated crew chief, as he is marsheled in after bringing one of the first two F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation aircraft to Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. The 356th FS and AMU worked closely throughout the previous year to build their units from the ground up in preparation for the arrival of the F-35s. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik)

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200421-F-JH697-1500

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Krutke, an F-35 avionics system craftsman with the 356th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU), prepares one of the first F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation aircraft assigned to the 356th Fighter Squadron after its arrival at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. Eielson’s strategic location and proximity to the Joint Pacific Alaska Range Complex make it the premier training location for fifth-generation fighter aircraft, and Airmen of the 356th AMU will ensure their F-35 aircraft are ready to support their combat-coded mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik)

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200421-F-SR682-0035

U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Christopher Trimarco and Staff Sgt. Kyle Fong, both from the 356th Aircraft Maintenance Unit, perform post flight procedures on the squadron’s first assigned F-35A Lighting II fifth-generation fighter at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. With the arrival of the jets at Eielson, the U.S. Air Force joins the Royal Australian Air Force, the Japan Air Self-Defense Force, and the Republic of Korea Air Force as partner nations with F-35s permanently stationed in the Indo-Pacific region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Sean Martin)

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356th AMU takes in first F-35s

Published April 23, 2020
354th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Steven Krutke, an F-35 avionics system craftsman with the 356th Aircraft Maintenance Unit (AMU), prepares to place chalks for one of the first of two F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation aircraft assigned to the 356th Fighter Squadron after its arrival at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, April 21, 2020. The F-35A, the U.S. Air Force’s latest fifth-generation fighter, brings an enhanced capability to survive in the advanced threat environment in which it was designed to operate, and the Airmen of 356th AMU will ensure the jets are prepared for their combat-coded mission. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Karen J. Tomasik)

200421-F-JH697-1480

200421-F-SR682-0092

200421-F-SR682-0128

200421-F-JH697-1419

200421-F-JH697-1500

200421-F-SR682-0035