The first two F-35A Lightning II fifth-generation fighter jets arrived at Ebbing Air National Guard Base (ANGB) in Fort Smith earlier Monday. These aircraft, which belong to Poland, will be used to train Polish fighter pilots on the newest generation of military aircraft.
“The arrival of Poland’s first F-35s is a significant milestone for our state, the nation, and our allies who will train on this fifth-generation fighter at Ebbing Air National Guard Base,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. “I’m extremely proud of the whole team in the 188th Wing, and the staffs at Razorback Range and Fort Chaffee Joint Maneuver Training Center for the planning and work that has resulted in the sound of freedom returning to the River Valley today. They’ve partnered with the active-duty Air Force to go from concept to jets being parked on the ramp in a compressed timeframe. We are thankful for the dedicated teamwork of those in Fort Smith, Sebastian County, our entire Congressional delegation, and state elected officials who have moved mountains to make this mission possible in Arkansas.”
The Air Force’s 85th Fighter Group, which is stationed at Ebbing ANGB, will oversee the F-35 pilot training as part of the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program.
In March 2020, a delegation from the Republic of Singapore Air Force, along with U.S. Air Force personnel, toured various installations to evaluate potential sites for F-35 training. Ebbing ANGB was selected in 2023, beating out Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, and Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Michigan, to host the F-35 FMS pilot training mission, as well as a Republic of Singapore F-16 squadron.
Over the next few years, Ebbing ANGB will host F-35 pilots from Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore, further solidifying its role as a key international training hub.