34 FS Activation Ceremony
Lt. Col. George R. Watkins, 34th Fighter Squadron commander, has his name revealed on an F-35A by SSgt Bryan Jernigan, Dedicated Crew Chief, 388 AMXS, during the squadron’s activation ceremony July 17 at Hill Air Force Base, Utah. The 34th will be the first combat squadron to fly the Air Force’s newest fighter aircraft, the F-35A. The squadron has an extremely rich history. After many contributions in major U.S. conflicts, the 34th was relocated to Hill AFB on Dec. 8, 1975, where they became the first fighter squadron to receive the F-16 fighter aircraft. The squadron’s first F-35A will arrive in September. (U.S. Air Force photo by Alex R. Lloyd/Released)