According to the Polish Ministry of National Defence, the event marked a significant milestone for Polish flying personnel. The first two pilots from Poland began practical training on the F-35A Husarz in January 2025, following theoretical and simulator training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida.
The practical training for the second group of pilots started in April when a third Polish pilot performed his first flight on the F-35A. Ebbing Air Base, currently developing into the second international F-35 Lightning II training centre, hosted the Polish pilots as the first participants in the programme.
“For Poland, today is all about achieving an operational milestone and investing in our shared defense,” said Maj. Gen. Ireneusz Nowak, Inspector of the Polish Air Force. “Training here in the U.S. builds more than skills; it builds trust, interoperability, and a deep bond with our American counterparts. We are proud to be the first F-35 partner to reach this phase at Ebbing.”
The first two F-35A Husarz aircraft arrived at Ebbing in December 2024. Under the intergovernmental Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA), the United States has committed to training 24 Polish pilots. In the coming years, at least six F-35A Husarz aircraft will be stationed at Ebbing, with deliveries scheduled to be completed by the end of 2025.
Further aircraft from the batch of 32 ordered by Poland will arrive in the country, with deliveries to Łask Air Base set to commence in 2026. Poland is the first nation to send personnel to Ebbing for training, paving the way for future groups from Finland, Singapore, and Germany.
Lockheed Martin has so far delivered nearly 1,200 serial production F-35 Lightning II aircraft in various configurations. To date, almost 3,000 pilots have undergone training on the platform, showcasing its significant role in modern air combat capabilities.
