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Train the world’s greatest F-35 and F-16 ghter pilots June 2016
Vol. 16, No. 19
INSIDE Top Hats present combat-ready fighters …
STORIES
MDG remodels, 3
ALS grads, 4
Airmen save life, 4
Changes of command, 5
SAAM results, 7
FEATURE
Airman Tiffany Clark Courtesy photo
MAY: AF MONTH IN PHOTOS FROM LEFT: Capts. Brian Leber and Michael Lengyel; 1st Lts. Jacob Jerzewski, John Lorbiecki, Michael Seis, Robert
Kouwe and Daniel Thompson; Capt. John Hamilton; 1st Lt. Michael Radosevich; Capt. Alan Pippin, and 1st Lts. Anthony
See Page 14 Pipe, Ian Faulkenberry, Gregory Sabol, Christopher Villanueva and Jonathan Hagan graduated May 20 from Class 15-CBG.
The 15th student is currently on long-term duties not including flying but will graduate in summer. To see story and more
Continue to get Luke’s latest photos, go to Page 18.
news and information from
these sources: http://www.aero- LFE includes F-35 for first time
technews.com/lukeafb/, by Staff Sgt. “These LFEs mark the culmination of 310th FS B-Course student. “We planned
http://www.luke.af.mil STACI MILLER eight months of training for the B-Course our mission the day prior to ying the LFE.
students,” said Lt. Col. William McKibban, We had to answer questions like; how do we
and social media 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs 309th FS commander. “Our weapons of cers get a C-17 into a drop zone so they can drop
plan for months to make it as realistic as off supplies for a simulated special forces
Date of publication LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Arizona — possible with the resources we have avail- team? Learning how to dynamically solve
After eight months of intense training, the able. Every F-16 instructor pilot realizes this problem prepares us for what we’ll
First Friday 310th and 309th ghter squadron students that within months these students will actually be doing while deployed.”
of the Basic F-16 Fighting Falcon course likely be using their skills in operational
of the month were put to their nal test as they joined environments. There is no other option This marks the rst time at Luke that
Submission deadline forces with the F-35II Lightning and a but for each of them to be ready for those the F-35 has been fully integrated into
multitude of other platforms during their responsibilities.” the LFEs, allowing students to utilize the
15th day of the month capstone large-force exercises April 18
through 29, at Luke Air Force Base. The students were tasked with creating ghter’s unique and extensive capabilities.
prior to date of publication and then executing dynamic and multifac- “Our strength here at Luke is that we
Students integrated with different plat- eted mission plans. have fourth and fth generation assets
Veterans forms, some from different bases, all ght- at the same base, so we can truly train
ing in the same air space at once. They faced “We were presented with very complex how we ght,” said Lt. Col. Aaron Jelinek,
Tell us Your Story up to eight simulated enemy aircraft and problems and with the help of our mission 61st FS director of operations. “We’ve been
Active-duty, Reserve, Retirees utilized air-to-air and air-to-surface tactics. commanders, we were able to come up developing this platform and getting more
All military branches are included These capstone missions ensure students with really good solutions then go out and
Email name, phone number and a are ready for their future operational tours. execute them,” said 1st Lt. Robert Kouwe, See f-35, Page 6
brief description of your service to
56thfwpathunderbolt@us.af.mil Go to www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
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