Posted by John McHale
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla, 16 July 2011. Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] pilots delivered the first production model F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) to the 33rd Fighter Wing. The jet fighter, dubbed AF-9, will be used for F-35 pilot and maintenance training who begin coursework at the base's new F-35 Integrated Training Center later this year.

AF-9 is a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) version of the JSF. It is the third production-model F-35 delivered to the U.S. Air Force, with the first two being assigned to Edwards AFB, Calif.
AF-9 is the first aircraft from Low Rate Initial Production lot two and the seventh F-35 delivered to the Air Force. A total of 59 F-35s will eventually make up the fighter fleet at Eglin AFB.
The F-35 pilot-and-maintenance training center has pilot and maintenance training equipment, support, systems and facilities for all three aircraft variants. The center will host simulators, electronic classrooms, courseware, and flight events.