US Air Force officials began the F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation, or OUE, on 10 September 2012. Two pilots from the 33rd Fighter Wing, the host unit for the F-35 Integrated Training Center at Eglin AFB, Florida, along with two Air Force test pilots will conduct the review, which is expected to last approximately sixty-five days. At the conclusion of the evaluation, Air Education and Training Command is expected to issue confirmation that the wing is ready to begin training pilot and maintainer training for the Air Force.
