High-flying RAAF pilot makes first F-35 Joint Strike Fighter flight

An Australian pilot has finally got his hands on the new F-35 Lightning Joint Strike Fighter advanced combat aircraft.

Squadron Leader Andrew Jackson made the landmark flight from US Air Force base Eglin in Florida on Wednesday morning.

Australia plans to acquire up to 100 of these aircraft which will form the backbone of the RAAF combat force out to mid-century.

Squadron Leader Jackson and Squadron Leader David Bell were named earlier this year as the first RAAF pilots to train to fly JSF aircraft.