# @airmanmagazine on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DK2MtoCM7QP
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/34125756-airmanmagazine-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/11b8645052.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-06-13T15:58:43.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Airman Magazine (@airmanmagazine) — https://gondola.cc/airmanmagazine

## Caption

Luke Air Force Base Graduates its 1,500th F-35 Pilot:

Royal Netherlands Air Force Maj. Rolandus Scherders, RNLAF 312th Squadron director of operations, recently completed a five-month training course as part of lukeafb’s international F-35 Lightning II pilot development program. The Netherlands is one of several partner nations with pilots embedded at Luke AFB, underscoring the integrated nature of training on the fifth-generation fighter.

“When they told me I was the 1,500th, the first thing that came to mind was that time flies,” Scherders said. “The program has been going for a few years, and hitting this milestone really shows how much has been accomplished in such a short time.”

Scherders previously served as an exchange pilot with the U.S. Air Force for the F-16 Fighting Falcon and now received the opportunity to return to a joint training environment with the F-35. With 15 years of flying experience, Scherders brought a seasoned perspective to his transition from the F-16 to the F-35.

Scherders will return to the Netherlands to resume his role at the 312th Squadron and is set to take command of the Air Combat Development Center early next year. There, he will help shape the future of European F-35 operations and host large-scale joint exercises.

“It’s been an honor and a pleasure to be a guest of the U.S. Air Force and be gifted great training,” Scherders said. “From a foreign perspective, I think the Americans make great hosts.”

The 56th Fighter Wing remains at the forefront of F-35 pilot training, preparing more than 70% of the world’s F-35 pilots. Their continued focus on partnership and advanced training ensures that the U.S. and its partnered forces operate seamlessly together, ready to meet future challenges head-on.

📝Senior Airman Elias Carrero
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#Airman #Airmen #AirForce #USAF #Military #lukeafb #F35 #f35lightningii #pilot #pilots #militaryaircraft #avgeek

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## Tags

lukeafb, usaf, f35, military, pilot, f35lightningii, airman, airforce, pilots, militaryaircraft, airmen, avgeek

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