IAF’s F-35 Fleet Returns to Service

The Commander of the Israeli Air Force on Sunday decided to return the F-35I aircraft to full activity. The fleet was grounded last week in light of the aircraft’s first-ever crash in the United States

The Israeli Air Force has returned its squadron of F-35I fighter jets to service, days after all F-35 aircraft were grounded, following an accident involving a similar aircraft in the United States Marine Corps. The US investigation found that a faulty fuel pipe in the engine caused the crash.

“The Commander of the IAF, Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin decided that the F-35I aircraft will return to full activity in the IAF after a professional inspection of all aircraft, which was run by the Technical Array of the IAF,” the IDF said in a statement Sunday.

“The checkups were done in accordance with the information that was received by the US Joint Program Office (JPO) and the engine manufacturer (Pratt & Whitney), after the accident that occurred in the United States Marine Corps. We emphasize that the accident occurred in the type B aircraft, which the IAF does not possess. Therefore, the IAF F-35I aircraft will be brought back to full regular operational activity.”

 

[Source: Israel National News]