U.S. Air Force Airman Grace Christensen, left, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) F-35A Lightning II crew chief, Col. Oliver Lause, center, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, and Senior Airman James Stewart, 35th AMXS F-35 avionics specialist, discuss flight preparation prior to an F-35 flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026.

260729-F-EP621-1013

U.S. Air Force Airman Grace Christensen, left, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) F-35A Lightning II crew chief, Col. Oliver Lause, center, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, and Senior Airman James Stewart, 35th AMXS F-35 avionics specialist, discuss flight preparation prior to an F-35 flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026. The flight highlighted the continued integration of the F-35 into the 35th FW's mission, strengthening the wing's ability to generate fifth-generation combat airpower alongside its F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet in support of regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron piloted by Col. Oliver Lause, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, takes off at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026

260729-F-EP621-1229

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron piloted by Col. Oliver Lause, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, takes off at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026. The flight highlighted the continued integration of the F-35 into the 35th FW's mission, strengthening the wing's ability to generate fifth-generation combat airpower alongside its F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet in support of regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • U.S. Air Force Airman Grace Christensen, left, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) F-35A Lightning II crew chief, Col. Oliver Lause, center, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, and Senior Airman James Stewart, 35th AMXS F-35 avionics specialist, discuss flight preparation prior to an F-35 flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026.

    260729-F-EP621-1013

    U.S. Air Force Airman Grace Christensen, left, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron (AMXS) F-35A Lightning II crew chief, Col. Oliver Lause, center, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, and Senior Airman James Stewart, 35th AMXS F-35 avionics specialist, discuss flight preparation prior to an F-35 flight at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026. The flight highlighted the continued integration of the F-35 into the 35th FW's mission, strengthening the wing's ability to generate fifth-generation combat airpower alongside its F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet in support of regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
  • A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron piloted by Col. Oliver Lause, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, takes off at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026

    260729-F-EP621-1229

    A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron piloted by Col. Oliver Lause, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, takes off at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026. The flight highlighted the continued integration of the F-35 into the 35th FW's mission, strengthening the wing's ability to generate fifth-generation combat airpower alongside its F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet in support of regional security. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
    Photo Details / Download Hi-Res

35th Fighter Wing commander flies F-35A Lightning II

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Patrick Boyle
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
MISAWA AIR BASE, japan --  

 U.S. Air Force Col. Oliver Lause, 35th Fighter Wing (FW) commander, flies an F-35A Lightning II. The flight highlighted the continued integration of the F-35 into the 35th FW's mission, strengthening the wing's ability to generate fifth-generation combat airpower alongside its F-16 Fighting Falcon fleet in support of regional security. 

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron taxi at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026.

260729-F-EP621-1088

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron taxi at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026. As the wing continues integrating the F-35, the aircraft enhances its ability to generate, sustain and project combat-ready airpower in response to evolving operational requirements while strengthening interoperability with joint and allied partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
SLIDESHOW | 3 images | 260729-F-EP621-1088
Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron taxi at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026.

260729-F-EP621-1088

Two U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning IIs assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron taxi at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026. As the wing continues integrating the F-35, the aircraft enhances its ability to generate, sustain and project combat-ready airpower in response to evolving operational requirements while strengthening interoperability with joint and allied partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

1 of 3
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Airman Grace Christensen, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-35A Lightning II crew chief, directs an F-35 piloted by Col. Oliver Lause, 35th Fighter Wing commander, out of a hardened aircraft shelter at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026.

260729-F-EP621-1057

U.S. Air Force Airman Grace Christensen, 35th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron F-35A Lightning II crew chief, directs an F-35 piloted by Col. Oliver Lause, 35th Fighter Wing commander, out of a hardened aircraft shelter at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026. The sortie reflected the wing's continued modernization as it integrates the F-35 into its fighter mission, strengthening its ability to generate combat airpower while improving readiness and operational flexibility. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

2 of 3
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res
U.S. Air Force Col. Oliver Lause, 35th Fighter Wing commander, looks at the controls of an F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026

260729-F-EP621-1082

U.S. Air Force Col. Oliver Lause, 35th Fighter Wing commander, looks at the controls of an F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 13th Fighter Squadron at Misawa Air Base, Japan, July 29, 2026. As the wing continues integrating the F-35, the aircraft enhances its ability to generate, sustain and project combat-ready airpower in response to evolving operational requirements while strengthening interoperability with joint and allied partners. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick Boyle)

3 of 3
Photo Details / Download Hi-Res