
The Defense Department on Thursday selected Italy, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Norway and the Netherlands as part of its global F-35 airframe and engine sustainment posture. Italy will provide F-35 initial airframe maintenance, repair, overhaul and upgrade (MRO&U) capability by 2019 for the European region, according to a DoD statement. Should additional airframe MRO&U capability be required, the U.K. would be assigned to supplement the existing capability. F-35 Program Executive Officer (PEO) Air Force Lt. Gen. Christopher Bogdan told reporters…