Congressman Turner, Chairman of the Tactical Air and Land Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the United States Air Force announced F-35A has reached Initial Operational Capability.

“This aircraft is important to our national defense and I am pleased to hear that the Air Force has reached initial operational capability. This is significant progress and this announcement is consistent with two recent hearings held by the Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces at Wright Patterson Air Force Base, and in Washington DC, highlighting the critical role of fifth generation aircraft to our National Security Strategy.  This announcement also continues to showcase the contributions of the Air Force Material Command and Wright-Patterson Air Force Base which are the cornerstones of delivering aerospace power to the Nation.”

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