Davis-Monthan to host F-35, F-22 for air-show training

America’s newest jet fighter, the F-35, will return to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base with other military planes for air-show training in February, D-M says.

The Heritage Flight Training and Certification Course, which allows civilian pilots of historic jets to practice flying in formation with Air Force planes, will take place at Davis-Monthan Feb. 9-12, with aircraft and personnel scheduled to arrive Feb. 7-8 and depart Feb. 13, D-M said.

Aircraft flying in this year’s training will include the F-35 Lightning II, the F-22 Raptor, the F-16 Fighting Falcon and the A-10C Thunderbolt II, D-M said.

Historic aircraft will include the P-51 Mustang, the P-47 Thunderbolt, the P-38 Lightning and the F-86 Sabre. The number and types of Heritage aircraft are still being finalized.

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The F-35, the nation’s controversial, multi-service stealth fighter, officially flew at D-M for the first time during Heritage Flight Training last year.

D-M recently was passed over as the preferred site to base a new Air Force Reserve F-35 unit.

The Heritage Flight Training event is not open to the general public, and most maneuvers are performed over D-M’s airfield, but at times local residents will be able to see and hear the planes coming and going.

The F-35 and F-22 are generally louder than the A-10 and most other aircraft that are based or fly regularly at D-M.