Utah governor gets pilot's view of F-35

Utah Governor Gary Herbert lands a simluated F-35 Lightning II aircraft with the assistance of cockpit demonstrator pilot Eric Best at the University of Utah campus, Salt Lake City, Utah, Wednesday, Oct. 8, 2015. The combined efforts of Hill Air Force Base and Lockheed Martin brought the interactive cockpit demonstrator to the university to allow civic leaders and the public an unique opportunity to experience and learn about the Air Force's newest and most advanced fighter. Hill Air Force Base's 388th Fighter Wing and 419th Fighter Wing are the first in the Air Force to fly combat-coded F-35s. (U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw)

Utah governor gets pilot's view of F-35

Published Oct. 8, 2015
By Bryan Magaña
419th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Gov. Gary Herbert had a chance to "fly" the F-35 Lightning II at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City Oct. 7. During his time in the cockpit, the governor got a feel for the fifth-generation fighter, which arrived at Hill Air Force Base last month.

The university is hosting the Lockheed Martin F-35 cockpit demonstrator this week to help celebrate the ‪‎F-35 arrival at Hill's active-duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th Fighter Wing. Representatives from Lockheed Martin, based in Fort Worth, Texas, guided Herbert through the flying simulator and explained some of the aircraft's high-tech capabilities. Engineering students, faculty, and the university dean also got to try their hands at the F-35.

Hill AFB will eventually be home to 72 of the Air Force's newest fighter jet, and has already received three combat-coded aircraft. Reservists in the 419th FW are supporting their active-duty counterparts in reaching initial operational capability, or IOC, by late 2016.