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”.
Norkin also presented images of the F-35 over Beirut at the conference.
The IAF commander told the conference that Israel’s squadron of F-35 jets have been involved with attacks in the Middle East and they are discussing ways to use its capabilities.
This morning, an international air force commander convention began at the Israeli Air Force Auditorium, featuring air force commanders and senior officers from over 20 countries >>> https://t.co/5GblvZa5Jc pic.twitter.com/PbblezQTkz
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) May 22, 2018
President Trump has several times in the past expressed his support for the F-35 fighter jet after initially balking at the program’s high cost. The F-35 is the largest weapons program in history, with three variants, eight foreign developmental partners and at least three customers, including Israel.
