The 33rd Fighter Wing (33 FW) is a United States Air Force unit assigned to the Air Education and Training Command’s Nineteenth Air Force. It is stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida where it is a tenant unit. The 33 FW is an AETC training unit. Its main mission is to train U.S. Air Force, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy pilots and maintainers on the F-35 Lightning II. The wing will reach full strength in 2014, with more than 2,000 military personnel and 260 contractors. Annual capacity is planned for 2,150 pilot and maintenance students. A minimum of 59 F-35A, F-35B, and F-35C aircraft supporting Air Force training in the F-35A, Marine training in the F-35B, and Navy and Marine training in the F-35C, as well as international partner training in the various versions of the aircraft. The 33rd (sometimes 33d) Fighter Wing, known as the “Nomads” for its constant travel throughout the world, has a long, distinguished history.
