Fort Smith, ARK — Two Polish F-35 Lightning II aircraft arrived Monday at Ebbing Air National Guard Base, marking a major step in the U.S. and Poland’s military partnership. The arrival of these advanced jets is part of an international training program that will see Polish pilots trained in the U.S. to operate the F-35 fighter aircraft.
Lt. Col. Jonathan Hassell, commander of the 57th Fighter Squadron, expressed the significance of the moment, stating, “Poland is a great friend of the U.S. and a strategic ally. We are happy to support and train their pilots.” Hassell further explained that the Polish pilots, who have already completed simulator training at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida, will soon arrive in Fort Smith to begin their flight training on the newly arrived jets.
The pilots are currently spending the holidays in Poland and are scheduled to return to the U.S. in the coming weeks. Once in Fort Smith, they will conduct their first flights in the aircraft, which were flown into Arkansas by U.S. officials, including Col. Nicholas Ihde, commander of the 85th Fighter Group.
Ihde described the flight as a thrilling experience, noting, “It is like being on top of the world. You can see everything.” He went on to highlight the F-35’s stealth capabilities, adding, “You’re basically invisible to other sensors and other airplanes, so you can see everything.”
The training at Ebbing Air National Guard Base is part of the U.S. Air Force’s Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, which aims to enhance the interoperability of allied nations. Polish pilots will not only learn to fly the F-35 but will also be trained in U.S. military tactics. This integration will ensure that, in times of need, the Polish air force can seamlessly cooperate with the U.S. and NATO allies in joint operations.
“The key to Ebbing Air National Guard is not just the F-35, but the opportunity to learn our tactics,” said Ihde. “We know they’re competent, and we are able to fight together in mass against whatever enemy comes at us.” He emphasized that this cooperation is vital to strengthening NATO’s defense capabilities, particularly in light of ongoing tensions in Eastern Europe.
The establishment of Fort Smith as a hub for international F-35 training is part of a broader strategy to enhance the region’s military infrastructure. With Poland’s arrival, the base will soon host pilots from other nations as well, including Finland and Singapore, both of which are set to send their own F-35 aircraft for training. The U.S. Air Force’s FMS program has also attracted attention from other NATO members, further underscoring the growing importance of this training center.
The arrival of these jets is also a major boost to Fort Smith’s local economy. The project has led to approximately $850 million in infrastructure development, with the city expected to see around $400 million in annual revenue as long as the training center remains operational. This economic impact is the result of a concerted effort by local leaders, including Fort Smith Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Tim Allen, who began advocating for the F-35 training center four-and-a-half years ago.
Allen called the project both challenging and rewarding, noting that it has been a defining achievement for the community. “It’s phenomenal to think that a lot of people never thought this would happen,” Ihde added. “Well, the jets are here, and it’s starting.”
As the F-35 training program continues to expand, Fort Smith is set to become a key player in the U.S. military’s efforts to strengthen its alliances and maintain a technological edge in global defense.