Two Italian pilots completed training flights aboard F-35 Lightning II at the Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, marking the first F-35 mission under Italian pilots.

The U.S. Air Force called the flights a significant step forward in the F-35 program, as more customers move forward with procurement of the Lockheed Martin aircraft and training programs for the next-generation multi-role fighter jet. One pilot flew his mission using an Australian variant of the F-35, with an Air Force Reserve ground instructor coaching him through his headset. Lockheed Martin contractors and an Australian maintenance liaison officer were present for maintenance.

"This was a multinational effort from every aspect of today's operations, but it's just the beginning as we continue to develop as the international training hub for the F-35 program," said 61st FS commander Lt. Col. Michael Gette.

U.S. Air Force pilots took part in the exercise as well,with two instructor pilots from the 61st Fighter Squadron flying alongside the Italian pilots to guide them through their first flights, and two U.S. student pilots taking their first flights as well.

"New pilots will be trained in an environment where they learn how to work seamlessly with other nations both from a practical standpoint and a tactical basis," said an Italian pilot.

The Italian defense industry has secured about $826 million in F-35 production contracts, with the value of these contracts expected to exceed $9.9 billion over the life of the program, according to Lockheed Martin.

The first Italian-produced F-35 took its first international flight in September.