An F-35A Lightning II and two F-16 Fighting Falcons. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kaylee Dubois)
The Department of the Air Force selected Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, as the preferred location to receive the next active-duty F-35A Lightning II mission.
The two squadrons of F-35As are projected to begin arriving in FY29 and the number of personnel is expected to remain the same.
The F-35A brings an enhanced capability to survive in the advanced threat environment in which it was designed to operate. With its aerodynamic performance and advanced integrated avionics, the F-35A provides next-generation stealth, enhanced situational awareness, and reduced vulnerability.
The decision to host the F-35 mission at Moody AFB came after assessing the area’s ability to facilitate the mission and infrastructure capacity, while accounting for community support, environmental factors, and cost.
The Fiscal Year 2024 Program Objective Memorandum details the department’s plans to retire 54 A-10 Thunderbolt IIs. If approved, six A-10s will be divested out of Moody AFB in FY24, with the remaining A-10s divesting by FY28.
The Department of the Air Force will now conduct an environmental impact analysis, which is expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.