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Kingsley Field to host F-35A Formal Training Unit

Published May 25, 2023
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) --

The Department of the Air Force plans to convert the F-15C Eagle Formal Training Unit at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Oregon, into a third F-35A Lightning II FTU, providing additional training capacity to the fifth-generation aircraft.

The F-35 Lightning II makes its first appearance at Luke Air Force Base on March 10. The aircraft was flown in directly from the Lockheed Martin factor at Fort Worth, Tex., and is the first of 144 F-35s that will eventually be assigned to the base. “Having F-35s at Luke ensures the long-term viability of our mission and safeguards the long-term presence of the base as a community partner and an economic engine in the West Valley,” Col. John Hanna, 56th Operations Group commander, said at a press conference after the jet landed. (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Darlene Seltmann) — The F-35 Lightning II makes an appearance at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. March 10, 2014. The Department of the Air Force plans to convert the F-15C Eagle Formal Training Unit at Kingsley Field in Klamath Falls, Ore., into a third F-35A Lightning II FTU, providing additional training capacity to the fifth-generation aircraft. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Darlene Seltmann)

The decision comes after the release of the Fiscal Year 2024 Presidential Budget request, which outlines the divestiture of the aging F-15C fleet.

Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, is expected to start hosting basic F-15 aircrew training in early 2026, after which, the aircrew will undergo training for their specific F-15 model at their first unit.

Kingsley Field will receive 20 F-35As to replace its 27 F-15Cs once the environmental impact analysis is completed, which is expected in 2025.