In a big show of interoperability, pilots from the US and UK seamlessly flew on Australian F-35s, demonstrating the pliability to place any pilot in any F-35.
Enhancing allied interoperability and demonstrating the pliability to generate fight energy for future conflicts, U.S. Air Power, U.S. Marine Corps and Royal Air Power (RAF) F-35 pilots flew Royal Australian Air Power (RAAF) F-35A Lightning IIs in an “Interfly” train on Jul. 16, 2025, as a part of the continued Talisman Sabre 25 train. A press launch from the USAF mentioned the “show of interoperability signified the primary time USAF pilots flew fifth Era plane belonging to a partnered or allied nation.”
The service recognized the pilots attaining the “first-ever feat” as Air Power Reserve Maj. Justin “Spike” Lennon, an F-35 evaluator pilot from the forty eighth Fighter Wing primarily based at RAF Lakenheath; Maj. Colby “Burn” Kluesner, F-35A evaluator pilot from the 388th FW at Hill AFB; Royal Air Power Squadron Chief Daniel “Goffy” Goff, F-35B teacher pilot; and U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Johnny “Yardsale” Rose, F-35B teacher pilot. The USAF, USMC, and RAF pilots embedded with two of the RAAF’s F-35 squadrons, the No. 77 Squadron and No. 75 Squadron.
As one of many pilots later revealed within the launch, the Interfly was not a deliberate or scheduled occasion, however somewhat one thing that presumably floated given the opportune second supplied by Talisman Sabre. The occasion follows different interoperability-enhancing actions like cross-maintenance of F-35s with RAAF and RoNAF (Royal Norwegian Air Power) that the USAF held in February and Apr. 2024.
The discharge additional added that the RAAF constructed upon “its efforts in normalizing F-35 Interfly coaching amongst allies” via its 2023 “Lighting-X program,” exploiting the “mutual advantages offered to F-35 communities” for the Interfly program. The occasion is clearly totally different from the pilot change packages which see pilots embedding in overseas models and flying their plane for an extended project.
The Interfly occasion
The 4 British and American pilots acquired sooner or later of “simulator coaching and tutorial programs,” following which the RAAF cleared them “to conduct coaching workout routines throughout Talisman Sabre 25 utilizing RAAF’s F-35 plane.” Maj. Lennon mentioned within the launch that the crew have been “handled no in a different way than every other RAAF F-35 pilot throughout Talisman Sabre 25.”
“The one method anybody would possibly realize it’s not an Australian within the RAAF F-35 is the accent on the radio,” he added.
Regardless of the entire absence of language obstacles, variations in communication, logistical protocols and navy parlance and lingo are inevitable. However, Lennon mentioned within the launch that “acquainted coaching and tools utilization” just like the F-35 does make adapting to a different nation’s plane “simpler than one would possibly suppose.”
“Because of the commonality of F-35 variants, aligned coaching and operational practices between F-35 customers, the flying portion is the best half,” Lennon defined. “Our visiting USAF pilots are capable of execute and fly a RAAF F-35 no totally different from their Australian wingmen.”
Photographs launched on the DVIDS community confirmed Maj. Kluesner contained in the cockpit of the RAAF F-35A and Sqn. Ldr. Goff conducting pre-flight checks within the Northern Territory, presumably at RAAF Base Tindal. “The latest effort in pilot interchangeability by a number of branches and nations within the F-35 group is aimed toward getting ready the U.S. and its allies for future conflicts lengthy into the longer term,” the USAF launch added.
The service has not specified how lengthy the flight lasted and the character of maneuvers and drills the USAF, USMC and RAF pilots performed with the RAAF’s F-35As. The RAAF, RAF and the USMC too haven’t launched any photos or data on the Interfly occasion. Whereas the RAAF and the USAF function solely the F-35A variant, the RAF and the USMC function the STOVL (Brief Take-Off and Vertical Touchdown) F-35B varrant.
There’s nothing higher than flying collectively. 🤝
Throughout Talisman Sabre 2025 the #AusAirForce, @RoyalAirForce, @USMC, @PACAF took to the world’s premier airspace over the Northern Territory.
TS25 supplies #YourADF the chance to observe high-end warfighting. pic.twitter.com/IrD4B2AQpX
— Royal Australian Air Power (@AusAirForce) July 17, 2025
The RAF collectively flies and operates its F-35Bs with the Royal Navy, together with embarking them on the RN’s HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales plane carriers, for uniform and simple logistics of the fifth technology jet. The trilateral cooperation between the three nations additionally extends to different platforms just like the E-7A Wedgetail AEW&C (Airborne Early Warning and Management) plane, as an plane from the RAAF was used to certify it to be refueled by te KC-46A Pegasus early in April 2025 at Edwards AFB and the Mojave desert.
The HMS Prince of Wales and the united statesGeorge Washington plane carriers are additionally taking part in Talisman Sabre 25. On Jul. 8, the HMS Prince of Wales hosted Marine Corps F-35Bs of Marine Fighter Assault Squadron-242 (VMFA-242), which have been deployed on the amphibious assault ship USS America.
Full, seamless integration for future operations
Lennon mentioned Interfly enabled the USAF to coach accomplice nations on weapons techniques they’ve bought, and conduct change assignments.
“Nonetheless, till now the USAF has by no means carried out worldwide interfly on an ad-hoc foundation,” Lennon defined. “This effort is an element of a bigger plan to normalize F-35 Interfly coaching with our allies. Within the quick time period, Interfly occasions like this enable us to change data and finest practices
Long run advantages embody “extra choices for agility and flexibility” for commanders in a future battle. It’s because a chronic battle would see airplanes being exempt from the restrictions of human endurance on cognitive capacity and fatigue from advanced missions, strainful missions.
“Airplanes are able to flying extra hours a day than a pilot. Having the added flexibility to place any pilot in any F-35 and generate fight airpower anyplace on the planet provides to the F-35 coalition’s lethality,” Lennon provides. Conducting unrelenting operations to dictate the tempo of battle with the PLA, has already been envisaged with respect to CCA ways within the western Pacific.
📍RAAF Darwin #ExTalismanSabre25Bring the warmth 🔥Multinational business at its finest displaying all taking part nations are safe at dwelling and powerful overseas. Extra to observe…19 nations, 35,000 personnel #StrongerTogether 💪🌏 Able to #FlyandFight ✈️ pic.twitter.com/gsGKSsnAqT
— Royal Air Power (@RoyalAirForce) July 21, 2025
“[The Lightning-X program] permits RAAF commanders to deal with our coalition counterparts as RAAF aircrew once we think about issues like medical, dental, physiological points, egress techniques and human components,” mentioned RAAF Squadron Chief Nicholas Reynolds, No. 77 Squadron govt officer. “It’s a large win to have the ability to seamlessly combine right here at Talisman Sabre 25 with 77 Squadron.”
