U.S. Air Force aviators operate Australian F-35 jet in initial Pacific flight

U.S. Air Force aviators operate Australian F-35 jet in initial Pacific flight

**Headline:** U.S. and Australian Air Forces Demonstrate Enhanced Interoperability in F-35 Interfly Event During Talisman Sabre 2025

The recent Talisman Sabre exercise, a biannual military drill primarily between the U.S. and Australia, saw a significant step forward in interoperability efforts with the first-ever F-35 interfly event between the U.S. Air Force and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

## Significance of the F-35 Interfly Event

Two U.S. Air Force pilots, Maj. Justin “Spike” Lennon and Maj. Colby “Burn” Kluesner, made history by flying RAAF F-35As after completing necessary training and certification. This marked the first time U.S. pilots have flown an allied nation's F-35A aircraft, demonstrating a new level of collaboration and interoperability between the two air forces.

The event aimed to normalize F-35 interfly operations among coalition partners, allowing for the seamless integration of U.S. and Australian forces. This advancement enhances their ability to operate together effectively in future conflicts, as it enables pilots to operate any F-35, regardless of their nationality or country of origin.

This newfound flexibility increases coalition forces' flexibility and adaptability, enhancing their overall lethality. In a prolonged conflict, this interoperability can be crucial, allowing for more efficient use of resources and personnel, and maximizing the utilization of aircraft.

## Promoting Interoperability

The Talisman Sabre exercise and the F-35 interfly event promote interoperability in several ways. The event facilitates the exchange of information and best practices between U.S. and Australian forces, ensuring that both nations can learn from each other's experiences and improve their operational capabilities.

By integrating U.S. pilots into RAAF operations, the exercise demonstrates the potential for future unified operations, where forces can work together seamlessly without logistical or operational barriers.

This event also marks a significant step in integrating allied nations into the global F-35 program. It shows that the technology and training platforms can be shared, allowing participating nations to achieve a higher level of cooperation and readiness.

The RAAF's Lightning-X initiative aims to increase interoperability with allied nations' F-35s, further enhancing these efforts.

## Wider Participation

This year's iteration of Talisman Sabre involved 19 nations, the most ever, with 30,000 total military personnel. Apart from the U.S. and Australia, Seaborn F-35s from the U.S. and U.K. aircraft carriers are participating in the exercise. American F-22 Raptors from Hawaii are deployed in Australia's Northern Territory for Talisman Sabre.

The Air Force has been pushing to increase the interoperability of its F-35 fleet with cross-service events conducted among NATO allies. The move was intended to strengthen interoperability among allies.

The crew of the participating pilots are treated no differently than any other RAAF F-35 pilot during Talisman Sabre 25. The aviators are embedded with two of the RAAF’s F-35 squadrons, No. 77 Squadron and No. 75 Squadron.

The training included a day of classroom work and simulator training before the flying portion, which is the easiest part due to the commonality of F-35 variants, aligned training, and operational practices between F-35 users.

Lennon stated that normalizing Interfly gives commanders additional options for agility and versatility in a future conflict. Lt. Col. Johnny "Yardsale" Rose and RAF Squadron Leader Daniel "Goffy" Goff are among the pilots who participated in the "interfly".

In conclusion, the F-35 interfly event during Talisman Sabre 2025 represents a major advancement in interoperability efforts among allied air forces, enhancing their ability to collaborate effectively in future military operations.

1. The F-35 interfly event between U.S. and Australian Air Force pilots showcases how interoperability between the nations can be improved through sharing aircraft, further increasing overall lethality.
2. The increased interoperability during Talisman Sabre allows for more efficient use of resources and personnel, as U.S. pilots can operate RAAF F-35As just as easily as their own.
3. The better integration of allied nations like the U.S. into the F-35 program can pave the way for increased collaboration and readiness among these nations.
4. With the wider participation of 19 nations in Talisman Sabre, including the U.S., Australia, and the United Kingdom, the event demonstrates the potential for unified operations among these nations' air forces.

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