Lt. Gen. Stephen Hoog, assistant vice chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force, has said the service is looking to start initial operations for the Lockheed Martin-built F-35 fighter jet in August 2016, Reuters reported Thursday.Hoog told a conference hosted by the Air Force Association that congressional moves against the A-10 aircraft retirement have blocked the transition of mechanics to the F-35 program, Andrea Shalal reports.
He said the Air Force is working with lawmakers to cease operations of some A-10 units in order to declare operational capability of the F-35 program, according to the report.
Hoog added that the Air Force would require 800 to 1,100 maintenance workers to sustain the F-35 jets, Reuters reports.
