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 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.

Release USAF
Image Rob Vogelaar