It was announced today that the F-35 has flown its first combat missions. As a few times before, the Israelis were the first to use a new Western fighter in combat. I have written a blog post on the subject:
The combat debut of the F-35: The Importance of New Technology for Israeli Air Power
https://airlandbattle.wordpress.com/...eli-air-power/
"Today’s news are
full of mentions of the first operational use of the F-35, by the
Israeli Air Force. The attached text examines the significance of new aircraft types in maintaining Israeli air superiority over the years. Starting from humble beginnings with just a handful of barely functional Czechoslovak Messerschmitts, the Israeli Air Force became the first to use the Mirage III, F-15, F-16 and now the F-35 fighters in combat."
Note the connection to this forum's core theme, through reference to the use of the Avia S-199 by the IAF.
Direct link to file download:
https://airlandbattle.files.wordpres...technology.pdf
See also
my previous blog post from March this year, on a very different subject, the loss of a Ju 188 on the Eastern front
https://airlandbattle.wordpress.com/...and-a-comment/
Dan