The F-35 Integrated Training Center at Eglin AFB, Florida, here completed its 500th combined sortie for both the F-35A conventional takeoff and landing and F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing aircraft on 2 November 2012. There are currently twenty-two F-35s at Eglin. Flight operations began there on 6 March. The joint Air Force/Marine team at Eglin accomplished the 500 sorties in 238 days. The time between the first sortie and the 100th mission was 123 days; the time between the 400th sortie and the 500th flight was only sixteen days.
