Fighter jet fans

COEUR d’ALENE — A crowd estimated at more than 5,000 filled the grounds at Coeur d’Alene Airport to see F-35 Lightning fighter jets Saturday afternoon.

For over an hour, adults and kids lined the runway, took pictures and looked on with awe at the four aircraft from the United States Marine Corps. They chatted with pilots and cheered wildly before they departed, soaring away with power and grace about an hour and a half after they landed.

“The latest and greatest,” said John Stolpp of Post Falls.

Veteran Larry Hultz said the advanced technology in the F-35s was hard to comprehend.

“They’re amazing aircraft,” he said.

Mac McCormack of the Marine Corps League partnered with Kirk Lauer of Coeur d’Alene Aviation and Maintenance to bring the jets to Pappy Boyington Field.

Traffic backed up on Ramsey Road as people tried to get there for the projected 1 p.m. F-35s' arrival. Those who looked up were rewarded with two flyovers.

The F-35s are part of Americans' aerial pride. They are described as "the National Defense Strategy in action and remains the cornerstone of the U.S. Services Fighters Fleet and allied fleets worldwide," according to lockheedmartin.com.

“As the most lethal, survivable and connected fighter jet in the world, the F-35 gives pilots the critical advantage against any adversary, enabling them to execute their mission and come home,” lockheedmartin.com said.

The average unit cost of the fighters averages about $75 million to $80 million, depending on the model.

The jets that landed Saturday were identified as F-35Cs, which can reach speeds of 1.6 Mach, about 1,200 mph.

Some were surprised by the relative youth of the pilots. One said he was 29 years old. Another looked to be in his mid-20s.

"How can they be so young and fly those jets like they do?" asked one woman.

The pilots declined to give their names but offered their call signs.

One who goes by TFuG chatted with members of the crowd. He said the helmet he held cost more than $400,000.

The fighters are based in Yuma, Ariz.

"We’ve got to chase the nice weather when we can,” he said, laughing.

Nate Hale talked with another pilot, whose call sign was “Soaker.”

The 13-year-old said he wants to be a pilot and was delighted to spend a few minutes with an F-35 pilot.

“I just think it’s fun to be up in the air,” Nate Hale said.

TFuG said he wanted to fly since he was young.

"I can’t remember a time I didn’t want to do this," he said. "Every time you step in, you realize what a privilege it is and how lucky you are."

He said seeing a huge turnout and such strong support was wonderful.

“Can’t complain," he said. "We’re lucky to get to be a part of this.”

David Griffin, who said he flew Cessna and Piper aircrafts decades ago, jokingly asked Soaker how much it would cost to train him to fly an F-35 and go into combat.

Soaker said they were always told the military was spending about $10 million on their flight training.

“Maybe that much, but I think it's doable,” he said, laughing. "Our skipper is the super tall guy, dark hair. If you see him, just be like, 'Put me in coach.'"

“I’m ready to fly it,” said a smiling Griffin.

The F-35 is capable of a vertical takeoff, but Soaker said they wouldn't be doing that when they left.

“You’ll see a super short taxi and they'll pop up into the air," he said. "It’ll look pretty awesome."

Before takeoff, the F-35 engines screamed for about 20 minutes, prompting many to plug their ears. One stayed behind, apparently due to mechanical issues.

When the other three taxied down the runway, people waved. They roared away, circling back for a final pass over, one tipping its wings, which drew cheers.

"Thank you," shouted one boy, perched on a man's shoulders, as he waved.

Hultz said he was proud of the men and women who fly the F-35s.

“I’ll shake the hand of anybody out here,” he said.