The arrival of the first Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter at the Ogden Air Logistics Complex at Hill Air Force Base was celebrated Friday. Eventually more than a hundred of these planes will be housed and maintained at the base. Dignitaries including US Senators Orrin Hatch and Mike Lee were on hand for the celebration today. Mayors from all the cities surrounding the base were also there. Lockheed Martin's Executive Vice President and General Manager of the F-35, Lorraine Martin says the ALC in Ogden is responsible for upgrading and maintaining major components of the craft including doors, panels and covers now and will soon add to the maintenance list radar, landing gear, canopy, control surfaces, edges, displays and weapons.
"...some incredibly important compounds of the F-35 to be cared for and repaired here at Hill Air Force Base," says Martin.
Senator Hatch says Ogden and the surrounding community deserves all of the credit.
“…and to have us be the original depot to take care of this plane is pretty doggone-big-time stuff. And it’s tribute to the workers here, to the unions here, to the military leadership here, to the community most of all because the community’s patriotic,” says Hatch.
Three distinct variants of the F-35 will eventually replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force. Both of those older fighters are currently being maintained at the ALC in Ogden.
