FORT WORTH – Lockheed Martin delivered the first F-35A Lightning II destined for the Belgian Air Force and flew it over to U.S. Air Force Base Luke AFB.

The Lightning II, serial FL002 (c/n AY-02) departed NAS Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth (TX) with call sign ‘Scorpion1‘, indicating a delivery flight.

The first four Belgian F-35As will be assigned to the 312th Fighter Squadron Scorpions, which is part of the 56th Fighter Wing. This squadron was deactivated in 1991, but was reactivated as an F-35A training unit on June 1, 2023, primarily to train Belgian F-35 pilots.

The first Lightning II is expected in Belgium in late 2025 and stationed at Florennes; the second squadron will receive F-35As from 2027 at the Kleine Brogel base.