Top military and civilian officials gathered at Ebbing Air National Guard Base (ANGB) in Fort Worth, Arkansas, for a dedication ceremony marking the completion of new facilities that will provide increased operational capacity for international F-35 pilot training through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program, a key tool in US foreign policy. The event symbolizes Ebbing's readiness to conduct both FMS pilot training and major US Air Force missions. The base is now able to train pilots from allied countries (Poland being the leader among the Nations participating in the program).

The completion of the expansion project, which included the construction of flight operations facilities, maintenance hangars and pilot briefing rooms, ensures that Ebbing ANGB is fully equipped to support the advanced F-35 platform.

Colonel Nicholas Ihde, commander of the recently reactivated 85th Fighter Group, which oversees the FMS's on-site coordination and activities in the lead-up to air operations, said: "With the arrival of the first Polish pilots, we are ready to train the next generation of fighter pilots from allied partner Nations, ensuring they have the skills and knowledge needed to maintain air dominance".

The first international pilots are expected to begin training at the base later this year, transforming the base into both a hub for international F-35 training operations for the 33rd Fighter Wing and a key player in the US national defense strategy.