[Vroomfondel]

I thought the F-35 has already flown.

Sure, with Lockheed test pilots. This is the first flight by a government pilot.

[A.A. Cunningham]

The prototype X-35 was piloted by several military pilots:

LCDR Greg “Fence” Fenton, USN, MAJ Art “Turbo” Tomassetti, USMC, LCDR Brian “Goz” Goszkowicz, USN and Sqd. Ldr. Justin Paines (UK Royal Air Force). .

Tomassetti was also the first pilot to fly the X-35A, B and C.