First Belgian Operational F-35 Squadron

FLORENNES, BELGIUM - OCTOBER 13: Belgian Minister of Defence and Foreign Trade, from the Flemish nationalist, conservative, and liberal-conservative New Flemish Alliance (N-VA) Theo Francken talks to media during the F35 opening ceremony in Florennes Air Base on October 13, 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. Today, the Belgian Air Force is officially receiving its first four F-35A Lightning II fighter jets at Florennes Air Base. Florennes will host the first operational F-35 squadron, with plans to expand operations to Kleine-Brogel Air Base by 2027. The F-35s will replace Belgium's aging fleet of F-16s and are expected to significantly enhance the country's air defense and NATO contributions. The Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II, 5th-generation multirole stealth fighter, is one of the most advanced and controversial fighter jets in the world. (Photo by Thierry Monasse/Getty Images)