Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam is preparing for the Pacific Air Forces’ inaugural F-35 Symposium this week. The two-day joint and combined event will bring together F-35 experts including senior officers and warfighters from Japan, Australia, the Republic of Korea as well as the U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corps and U.S. Air Force.

International attendees will participate in a series of open discussions and briefings with the objective of enhancing F-35 operations in the Pacific, sharing fifth generation lessons learned, and building a foundation for future F-35 bilateral and multilateral engagements. Topics will include bed down, integration, logistics, sustainment and combat operations. 

Ten F-35Bs from the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing out of Marine Corps Air Station, Yuma, Ariz., are deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, Japan, with six more scheduled to arrive later this year. Japan started its pilot training program in late 2016, the Republic of Korea is scheduled to receive its first aircraft in 2018 and Australia has been training pilots in two Royal Australian Air Force F-35s in Arizona since late 2014. 

Following a symbolic stopover at Pearl Harbor-Hickam, the Australian F-35 made its first appearance in Australia at the 2017 Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition at Avalon Airport.