The thunder rolls when the Lightning flies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Valdez, 34th Aircraft Maintenance unit crew chief, renders a salute to Maj. Matthew Olson, F-35A Lightning II pilot from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 25, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Rotational forces are integral to increasing our military capabilities, which are essential to U.S. security obligations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quay Drawdy)

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The thunder rolls when the Lightning flies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Valdez, 34th Aircraft Maintenance unit crew chief, waits for the order to begin taxiing Maj. Matthew Olson, F-35A Lightning II pilot from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, out of a parking spot Jan. 25, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The F-35A is a 5th-generation stealth fighter developed to safely penetrate areas while avoiding radar detection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quay Drawdy)

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The thunder rolls when the Lightning flies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Valdez, 34th Aircraft Maintenance unit crew chief, secures a panel on an F-35A Lightning II Jan. 25, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The F-35A is deployed under U.S. Pacific Command’s theater security package program, which has been in operation since 2004. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quay Drawdy)

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The thunder rolls when the Lightning flies

A U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, goes through pre-flight checks prior to taxiing Jan. 25, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The F-35A is a 5th-generation stealth fighter developed to safely penetrate areas while avoiding radar detection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quay Drawdy)

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The thunder rolls when the Lightning flies

U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Joseph Owens, 34th Aircraft Maintenance unit crew chief, watches as Maj. Matthew Olson, F-35A Lightning II pilot from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, performs pre-flight checks in an F-35A Lightning II Jan. 25, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The theater security package program is designed to demonstrate the continuing U.S. commitment to stability and security in the region. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quay Drawdy)

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The thunder rolls when the Lightning flies

U.S. Air Force Maj. Matthew Olson, F-35A Lightning II pilot from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, goes through pre-flight checks prior to taxiing Jan. 25, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. The F-35A is a 5th-generation stealth fighter developed to safely penetrate areas while avoiding radar detection. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quay Drawdy)

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The thunder rolls when the Lightning flies

Published Jan. 25, 2018
By Senior Airman Quay Drawdy
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADENA AIR BASE, Japan -- U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Valdez, 34th Aircraft Maintenance unit crew chief, renders a salute to Maj. Matthew Olson, F-35A Lightning II pilot from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Jan. 25, 2018, at Kadena Air Base, Japan. Rotational forces are integral to increasing our military capabilities, which are essential to U.S. security obligations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Quay Drawdy)