Israel became the first country to carry out an attack using the F-35 joint strike fighter, Israel Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Amikam Norkin said Tuesday.

“The ‘Adir’ (F-35I) aircraft are already operational and flying combat missions,” Norkin said at a conference organized by the Israel Air Force in Herzliya. “In fact, we have performed the first operational F-35 strike in the world. We attacked twice in the Middle East using the F-35 — we are the first in the world to do so. The Israeli Air Force is a pioneer and a world leader in operating air power”.