The Jerusalem Post:
The United States Air Force (USAF) has sent several F-35 fighter jets to the Middle East, marking the first operational deployment of the American stealth fighters to the region.
According to an official USAF press release, an unspecified number of F-35As Lightning IIs landed at the al-Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates on Monday, along with maintenance and support personnel from the Active 388th Fighter Wing and Air Force Reserve 419th Fighter Wing based at Hill Airforce Base in Utah.
“The F-35A provides our nation air dominance in any threat,” said Gen. David L. Goldfein, Chief of Staff of the Air Force. “When it comes to having a ‘quarterback’ for the coalition joint force, the inter-operable F-35A is clearly the aircraft for the leadership role.”
