Masiello takes over as new F-35 program lead

WASHINGTON — Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Greg Masiello has taken the reins of the F-35 program from its outgoing leader Air Force Lt. Gen. Mike Schmidt. 

Masiello, who formerly led the Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA), is now the Pentagon’s newest program executive officer for the F-35, a global enterprise that has grown to 19 customers internationally. Masiello was nominated for the F-35 post in June and subsequently confirmed by the Senate. 

“I’m honored to be taking command of the F-35 Joint Program Office and grateful to Lt. Gen. Schmidt for all he has done for this incredible program,” Masiello said during a ceremony on Thursday, according to a press release from the F-35 Joint Program Office. “I look forward to serving with this dedicated and winning team, and I know we are ready to continue to support the U.S. and our allies with this world-class platform.”

Schmidt, who has helmed the F-35 program since July 2022, is retiring after 34 years of service in the Air Force, according to the press release. Masiello’s ascent marks a second recent leadership changeup after F-35 manufacturer Lockheed Martin installed Chauncey McIntosh as the company’s program chief at the beginning of this year.

“My time as the F-35 JPO’s program executive officer would not have been successful without the dedicated employees and service members who truly are the driving force behind the program,” Schmidt said during the ceremony. “While there are always going to be areas for improvement and growth, they are the reason the F-35 remains, and will continue to be, the most lethal and effective platform the U.S. and its partners depend on.”

Prior to leading the DCMA, the Pentagon office charged with administering military contracts, Masiello served in numerous roles across the DoD, including most recently leading a cross functional team to address anomalous health incidents. A pilot by craft who has flown aircraft like Marine One, Masiello has worked on programs like the V-22 Osprey and was the program executive officer for the Marine Corps’s airborne anti-submarine capabilities. He’s also familiar with the F-35 program following a year-long stint from 2014 to 2015 as the director of the aircraft’s follow-on development, according to a DoD biography.

Masiello will have his work cut out for him. Although deliveries of new stealth fighters have been ongoing — and a backlog created by a year-long delivery pause has recently been cleared out — the F-35 program has not yet confirmed that upgraded aircraft are ready for combat. Masiello will also be charged with overseeing a sprawling, over-budget plan known as Block 4 to modernize the jet alongside a separate engine and thermal management system upgrade.  

Beyond developmental issues, Masiello will have to confront readiness challenges as well. In response to disappointing mission capability rates, Schmidt launched what he called a “war on readiness,” which the Joint Program Office claims has reduced so-called “degraders” that can prevent aircraft from performing their missions. Still, the world’s most prolific stealth fighter that has now crossed 1,000 deliveries is lagging in readiness metrics, which are well below targets set by the military services. 

The F-35 additionally finds itself somewhat caught in political headwinds. Amid aggressive trade negotiations launched by the Trump administration, Canada has said it’s reconsidering its order of the F-35. A dispute over pricing has also threatened a planned acquisition by Switzerland.

Nevertheless, the F-35 has also proven somewhat resilient. Recently, Danish officials expressed interest in expanding their order of the F-35, despite threats from President Donald Trump to take the Danish territory of Greenland by force if necessary.