F-35A completes first night refueling mission Published March 26, 2012 By Lockheed Martin Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- The first night refueling in the history of the Lockheed Martin F-35 program was completed March 26 at Edwards Air Force Base. Piloted by Lt. Col. Peter Vitt, 461st Flight Test Squadron director of operations, AF-4, an F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant, rendezvoused with an Air Force KC-135 tanker and successfully received fuel through the F-35's boom receptacle. Vitt's sortie lasted more than three hours. In additional to qualifying with the KC-135, the F-35 Integrated Test Force at Edwards AFB will conduct night refueling tests with the KC-10.