During the Talisman Sabre 2025 joint military exercise held from July 15 to August 1 across Australia’s Northern Territory and wider Indo-Pacific region, a major milestone was achieved: for the first time, U.S. Air Force pilots flew Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F-35A Lightning II fighter jets during an operational mission. This unprecedented interfly marked the debut of international fifth-generation fighter jet interoperability at the tactical level.
Maj. Justin “Spike” Lennon from the U.S. Air Forces in Europe’s 48th Fighter Wing and Maj. Colby “Burn” Kluesner from the 388th Fighter Wing integrated directly into operations with RAAF’s No. 77 Squadron. After completing simulator and academic training, both American pilots successfully flew Australian F-35As, showcasing high-level coordination and trust between the two allied air forces.
This historic collaboration was made possible through the RAAF’s Lightning-X initiative, launched in 2023 to pave the way for coalition pilots to operate seamlessly across Australia’s F-35 fleet. The program streamlines key standards—including medical clearance, emergency systems, and pilot performance—allowing RAAF leadership to treat allied aviators as operational equals. Squadron Leader Nicholas Reynolds of the 77 Squadron praised the initiative’s effectiveness, emphasizing how it enables true tactical and mission-level integration.
While RAAF deployed its conventional takeoff and landing F-35As, the U.S. Marine Corps fielded the short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) variant, the F-35B. The joint presence of both models provided a rare opportunity to explore flexible basing strategies and interoperability under real-world conditions, from expeditionary airstrips to fully developed bases.
The F-35A, operated by both the USAF and RAAF, features a built-in 25mm cannon and larger internal fuel tanks, making it ideal for long-range, multi-role missions. Meanwhile, the F-35B’s unique vertical lift capability allows it to take off from short runways and even amphibious vessels, offering unmatched deployment versatility.
British Royal Air Force and U.S. Marine Corps pilots also participated in the exercise. RAF’s Squadron Leader Daniel “Goffy” Goff and USMC’s Lt. Col. Johnny “Yardsale” Rose joined the RAAF’s F-35 operations after completing ground and simulator training. All pilots carried out live mission sorties with full tactical autonomy.
Maj. Lennon highlighted the ease of integration thanks to the F-35’s common interface and coalition-standard procedures: “Flying the jet is the easy part—everything is familiar. The only way to know it’s not an Aussie in the cockpit is by the voice over the radio,” he remarked.
This first multinational F-35 interfly marks a significant evolution in allied air force interoperability, paving the way for future joint operations with enhanced agility and reach. More than a deterrence demonstration, Talisman Sabre 2025 validated the real-world readiness of a 5th generation multinational airpower coalition.
