Page 25 - Renorming of Airpower: The F-35 Enters the Combat Fleet

The Renorming of Airpower: The F-35 Arrives into the Combat Force

The one thing that struck me was residual anger directed at both the F-14 and F-15. In fact, in one briefing
talking about the evolving AIM-120, the briefer was mocked for putting what was loudly stated as bogus
potential kill-ratios.

History has written a far different story as the F-15 has been shown to be the most successful fighter ever put
into the hands of a Squadron Combat Fighter Pilot—Eagle has a Kill Ratio of over 105 to 0.

F-35 MAINTENANCE AT THE EDWARDS DEVELOPMENTAL TEST TEAM: LAYING
THE FOUNDATION FOR THE OPERATIONS OF A GLOBAL FLEET

During the OT-2 aboard the USS Wasp, a young British maintainer made a simple point about the F-35: Lt.
Cdr. Kitchen from the Royal Navy commented during a round table aboard the Wasp in May 2015:

“The F-35 can be surrounded by myth and legend. But it is a real testimony to the capabilities of the
maintainers of the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force and the USMC to adapt to the new technological
challenges.

Their knowledge of aircraft systems is now being applied to a new air system and taking steps forward into
the unknown. It is a testament to the professionalism of these maintainers that they are just getting on with the
job of making this aircraft work.

Every single person involved in this detachment is passionate about this aircraft and not just because it is a
sexy looking aircraft but want to see it working in every operational environment.”

That perspective certainly was reflected in meetings which we had with maintainers for the Developmental
Test Team at Edwards AFB. Indeed, what you could see was a very dedicated team of young maintainers
from the USAF along with contractors working to shape a way ahead with regard to the maintenance of the
F-35 as a global fleet.

With the “myth and legend” comment in mind, the vast literature on the failings of the ALIS or Automated
Logistics Information System largely misses the point. This is a foundational system for doing maintenance
differently; and the foundation will be built upon to shape over the decade ahead a capable system to
manage a global fleet.

The day we visited an F-35C was in the bay on which the maintainers were working. Let us ponder that point.
We were at a USAF base and they were maintaining a Navy aircraft.

Mary Parker, Deputy for Logistics for the Developmental test team, explained the difference between the DT
and OT sides of the house at Edwards.

“We are a Developmental Test Group, which means we have a Flight Test Control Engineer (FTCE) for every
flight and an engineering pool, in addition to the maintainers who collectively work the Health Reporting
Codes (HRCs) through to the Anomaly Fault Resolution System (AFRS). We are in the business of shaping a
more effective maintenance product in terms of health monitoring data accuracy.

In contrast, the Operational Test Group or an Operational Test Squadron, has a Crew Chief in charge that
knows the complete aircraft and he works the problems within his team. As the Crew Chief encounters
problems he needs assistance with, he’ll submit an Action Request (AR) through ALIS to receive information to
reach a resolution for the problem. ”

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