33rd FW first F-35A live bomb drop

Smoke appears after a GBU-12 detonates on a range at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., January 17, 2017. The GBU-12 was released from an F-35A assigned to the 58th Fighter Squadron. This was the first time the unit dropped live ordnance from the aircraft. (Courtesy Photo)

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33rd Fighter Wing drops first live bombs

Published Jan. 19, 2017
33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Pilots from the 33rd Fighter Wing dropped live munitions from the F-35A for the first time here, January 17.

Two aircraft each launched a live GBU-12 over the Eglin range marking a first for the Air Education and Training command.

The F-35A can carry two thousand pounds of air-to-ground munitions in each weapons bay.

In total, Airmen from the 33rd Aircraft Maintenance squadron loaded six aircraft with GBU-12s to support munition drops throughout the week.

Please contact the 33rd FW Public Affairs office at (850) 883-2216 with any questions.

33rd FW first F-35A live bomb drop