13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Gabrielle Devera, 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment specialist, repairs a component of a flight helmet during RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 17, 2026. RF-A is designed to provide realistic training in a simulated deployed environment, bringing together joint mission partners and enabling them to exchange tactics, techniques and procedures while improving interoperability with fellow Airmen. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsey Tucker)

13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

U.S. Air Force Airman 1st Class Gabrielle Devera, 35th Operations Support Squadron aircrew flight equipment specialist, repairs a component of a flight helmet during RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 17, 2026. RF-A 26-3 is scheduled to take place from Aug. 13 - 28, during which approximately 1149 service members at both Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson are expected to fly, maintain and support more than 79 aircraft from 10 units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsey Tucker)

13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

A U.S Airman assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan, wears a RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 patch while participating in the exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 14, 2026. Though the 13th Fighter Squadron has participated in previous iterations, 26-3 marks the first time 13th FS pilots have flown the F-35A Lightning II in a RED FLAG exercise. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Kelsey Tucker)

13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

U.S. Airmen assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, prepare an F-35A Lightning II before takeoff during RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 17, 2026. RF-A 26-3 replicates Pacific operational conditions, integrating joint and coalition forces in training from simulated forward operating bases to improve response capability across the range of contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andre Medina)

13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lighting II pilots assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, don their gear prior to a flight during RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 18, 2026. Though the 13th Fighter Squadron has participated in previous iterations, 26-3 marks the first time 13th FS pilots have flown the F-35A Lightning II in a RED FLAG exercise. (U.S. Air Force by Staff Sgt. Kelsey Tucker)

13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II pilots assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, attend a pre-flight briefing during RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 18, 2026. RF-A 26-3 is scheduled to take place from Aug. 13 - 28, during which approximately 1149 service members at both Eielson AFB and Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson are expected to fly, maintain and support more than 79 aircraft from 10 units. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kelsey Tucker)

13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, takes off during RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 18, 2026. RF-A 26-3 directly supports the Peace through Strength strategy by improving combat readiness and warfighting skills. This training raises the costs of aggression and reinforces a credible deterrence posture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andre Medina)

13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan takes off during RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 18, 2026. RF-A 26-3 directly supports the Peace through Strength strategy by improving combat readiness and warfighting skills. This training raises the costs of aggression and reinforces a credible deterrence posture. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andre Medina)

13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

A U.S. Airman assigned to the 35th Fighter Wing at Misawa Air Base, Japan, marshals an F-35A Lightning II during RED FLAG-Alaska 26-3 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, Aug. 18, 2026. RF-A 26-3 replicates Pacific operational conditions, integrating joint and coalition forces in training from simulated forward operating bases to improve response capability across the range of contingencies. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Andre Medina)

13th Fighter Squadron marks first RED FLAG-Alaska with new F-35s

Published Aug. 18, 2026
By Staff Sgt. Kelsey Owen
354th Fighter Wing

EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --