Wisconsin Air National Guard Conducts Evening F-35 Training Flights

Wausau Rhinelander, WI, September 20, 2026 —

The 115th Fighter Wing of the Wisconsin Air National Guard is currently undertaking a series of evening training flights in central Wisconsin. These operations are scheduled to take place from Monday through Thursday, specifically from September 21st to September 24th.

During this training period, residents in the central Wisconsin area may observe F-35 fighter jets conducting flights after dusk. The training is expected to continue until approximately 9:30 p.m. each evening. These flights are an essential component of the wing’s required nighttime operations training, ensuring pilots maintain proficiency in all operational conditions.

The F-35 Lightning II is a fifth-generation, single-seat, all-weather stealth fighter jet designed for air superiority and strike missions. Nighttime training is a critical, recurring requirement for aircrews across all branches of the military to prepare them for a wide range of operational scenarios, including combat missions that may occur at any time of day or night.

The 115th Fighter Wing, based in Madison, Wisconsin, is part of the Air National Guard and plays a vital role in national defense and state emergency response. The specific dates for this training period highlight a concentrated effort to fulfill these operational readiness requirements.

The purpose of these exercises is to simulate real-world conditions and ensure the readiness of the aircrews and support personnel. The training flights contribute to the overall mission effectiveness of the Air National Guard and its partners.

Story summarized from the original created by Desiree Fischer on www.wsaw.com, see more information here.

Media gallery