![](http://www.alamy.com/thumbs/6/890766A0-6D33-454C-9516-6550621FF422/2MM6J71.jpg)
As the Air Force celebrates its 75th birthday on September 18, let's look back at the legacy of the P-38 Lightning. It was considered the best in creative thinking and a leading edge in technology of its time by warfighters. The P-38 Lightning’s role in World War II was a game changer just like the capabilities of today’s F-35 Lightning II. The next feature in the F-35 Joint Program Office’s “Blast From the Past” series reflects on the first Lightning aircraft, the P-38 Lightning. (DoD photo-illustration/released)
Size: 1628px × 1296px
Photo credit: © Operation 2022 / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: -38, -35, blast, f35unites, lightning