The assembly building at the facility is more than a mile long and can hold up to 155 jets on the production line at one time. Each F-35 takes 18 months to produce from start to finish.
Signing part of a pre-assembled aircraft is a tradition that allows a unit to leave its mark while the aircraft is still being built. It also gives unit leaders a firsthand look at future jets moving through production.
For those attending, the significance of the visit extended beyond the production floor. “The mission’s coming home,” said Maj. Brian “Brass” Burke, an F-35 fighter pilot and unit conversion officer with the 104th Fighter Wing.
Col. Michael “Shot” Glass, commander of the 104th Fighter Wing, said the experience was both grounding and defining. “Signing the F-35 fuselage bulkhead at Lockheed Martin in Fort Worth was an amazing experience, and it marks a pivotal moment for the wing as we prepare to welcome our first F-35 jets,” Glass said.
“This solidifies the future of our wing and our dedication to excellence and readiness. I was incredibly honored and humbled to have gotten the opportunity to sign the jet knowing that the F-35A Lightning II will enhance both our mission capabilities and our commitment to protecting our nation,” Glass said.
Chief Master Sgt. Mike Gardner, the wing’s command chief, said seeing the aircraft under construction was emotional after 24 years with the unit. “It was hard not to feel emotional when seeing, and putting my signature on, the future of the 104th Fighter Wing,” Gardner said.
“Knowing that the mission is secured well into the future with the world’s premier fighter fills me with pride, especially knowing our selection for the new platform is a direct result of the hard work and professionalism Barnes has come to be known for,” Gardner said.
Chief Master Sgt. Jeffrey St. Jean, superintendent of the 104th Maintenance Group, said it was an honor to write “104 MXG” on the bulkhead on behalf of the group. He said the timing of the visit added meaning to the occasion.
“I would say that it was an absolute honor to write ‘104 MXG’ on that bulkhead on behalf of the Maintenance Group,” St. Jean said. “To have been a part of that experience, seeing our future tail numbers working their way down the production line, signing for the Group on our brand-new, front-line, fifth-generation fighter, immediately after Memorial Day, and so close to our nation’s 250th anniversary. It really is humbling to think about.”
Lt. Col. Mark “Mr. Chow” Silvers, director of operations for the 104th Fighter Wing, said the visit made years of anticipation tangible. “I’ve been looking forward to F-35s arriving at Barnes for the better part of a decade,” Silvers said.
“Seeing Barnes’ tails at the factory finally made it real, and getting to sign the fuselage was an honor I won’t soon forget,” Silvers said. The wing has been transitioning to the F-35A, described in the release as a fifth-generation fighter jet with cutting-edge covert and avionics capabilities.
Officials said the F-35A will significantly increase the wing’s operational scope and efficiency. The aircraft replaces the F-15 Eagles flown by the wing for 18 years.
The F-15 Eagles first arrived at the base in 2007. They remained with the 104th Fighter Wing until their stand-down in October last year.
