Saturday, September 22, 2012

Fifth-generation formation

An F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter from the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and an F-22A Raptor from the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., soar over the Emerald Coast Sept. 19, 2012. This was the first time the two fifth-generation fighters have flown together for the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo/Master Sgt. Jeremy T. Lock)

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- An F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter and an F-22A Raptor flew together for the Air Force for the first time Sept. 19 over Florida's Emerald Coast.

The two fifth-generation fighters took off from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., where the F-35A is stationed with the 33rd Fighter Wing. The F-22 is with the 43rd Fighter Squadron at Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.