“The arrival of Poland’s first F-35s is a significant milestone for our state, the nation, and our allies who will train on this fifth-generation fighter at Ebbing Air National Guard Base,” said Brig. Gen. Chad Bridges, Arkansas’ adjutant general. He commended the efforts of the 188th Wing and other local teams, describing their work as pivotal in bringing the mission to fruition.
Ebbing ANGB was selected in 2023 as the host site for F-35 pilot training under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The decision followed a competitive selection process, with Ebbing chosen over other candidates, including Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland in Texas and Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Michigan.
In addition to Poland, the base will train pilots from several allied nations, including Finland, Germany, Switzerland, and Singapore, in the coming years. A Republic of Singapore delegation and U.S. Air Force officials toured the base in 2020 to assess its suitability for the mission.
The arrival of these jets marks the beginning of a new chapter for Ebbing ANGB, solidifying its role as a key hub for international pilot training.
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