An F-35A from Luke AFB in Arizona epitomizes international interoperability.
Credit: James Drew
A close-up of the F-35A's refueling port.
Credit: James Drew
Inside the cockpit of a KC-10 tanker based at Travis AFB in California.
Credit: James Drew
One of the three F-35As en route to RAF Fairford returns to formation after refueling.
Credit: James Drew
An F-35A moves away from the KC-10 tanker.
Credit: James Drew
The F-35 heads back to formation.
Credit: James Drew
These two aircraft, the F-35 and the KC-10, make good traveling partners.
The F-35A arrives in the U.K.
F-35 in the hangar.
Credit: James Drew
A lone F-35A.
Credit: James Drew
After the Atlantic crossing these three aircraft will be on display at the Royal International Air Tattoo.
At RAF Fairford.
Aviation Week's Defense Editor James Drew flew with a small group of reporters on a KC-10 refueling tanker escorting three F-35As on their maiden voyage from McGuire AFB in New Jersey to RAF Fairford in the U.K. These are the photos he took along the way.