December 12

What happened on December 12 in aviation and space history.

• December 12, 2016

  The first two Israeli F-35I "Adir" arrive at Nevatim

  Milestone — The first two F-35I "Adir" landed at Nevatim air base in the Negev after a ferry flight from the United States. Israel was the first foreign customer to receive the Lightning II and the only one cleared to integrate its own electronic warfare and command systems into the airframe, hence its variant's distinct designation. The aircraft flew their first local sortie the following day.

• December 12, 2016

  Italy's first two operational F-35A arrive at Amendola

  Milestone — The first two F-35A assigned to an Italian operational unit landed at Amendola air base in Apulia, for the 13th Gruppo of the 32nd Stormo. With them Italy became the first country outside the United States to operate the Lightning II from a base of its own. The aircraft came from the Cameri assembly line rather than from Fort Worth.