Page 22 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 6-3-16

22 June, 2016
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Pilot program remains laser-focused in the face of an Air Force pilot shortage
by GEORGE WOODWARD,
DEBI SMITH,
2nd Lt. BRITTANY CURRY
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas
— Of cials with the Euro-NATO Joint Jet
Pilot Training Program remain laser-focused
on maximizing training production as the Air
Force faces a growing pilot shortage.
“The Air Force is currently about 500 pilots
short of requirements,” said Col. Paul Moga,
80th Flying Training Wing vice commander.
“And that number is projected to reach 800
by 2022.”
The challenge is heightened by changes in
the commercial airline industry, Moga said,
which by some estimates will be seeking to
hire 3,500 new pilots annually over the next
two decades. Because of their experience,
military pilots are often prime hiring targets
for airlines.
Max production
“The Air Force is taking steps to retain as
many of its pilots as possible,” Moga said.“Our
role here is to continue producing new pilots
at maximum capacity.”
The 80th met all of its production targets
on time in 2015, and is aiming to do the same
this year.
“It was a true team effort to meet all of our
training objectives last year, and it will take
the same kind of determined effort to do it
again,” Moga said.“We can’t afford to fail – it’s
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Putting the KC-46 Pegasus through its paces
by Bo Joyner
Edwards AFB, Calif.
As the Air Force gets ready for the arrival of
its newest aerial refueling and strategic military
transport aircraft, a diverse group of airmen is
working hard to make sure the KC-46A Pegasus
is ready to meet the service’s needs. Lt. Col.
John Mikal is one of them.
Mikal, a reservist KC-135 Stratotanker in-
structor pilot assigned to the 370th Flight Test
Squadron, is also a KC-46 test pilot and member
of the team that’s putting the Pegasus through a
series of critical pre-production tests.
Boeing developed the KC-46 from its 767 jet
airliner and is scheduled to deliver 179 of the
aircraft to the Air Force by 2028. The first 18
combat-ready tankers are scheduled to be deliv-
ered by August 2017.
To meet that timeline, Boeing is working
closely with the Air Force to put the KC-46
through its paces. The company’s first test air-
craft, a Boeing 767-2C, touched down at Ed-
wards Air Force Base. Calif., for the first time
Oct. 15 for several days of fuel onload fatigue
testing. During these tests, the KC-46 flew in
close formations with a KC-135 and KC-10 Ex-
tender to see how the aircraft performed in dif-
ferent aerial refueling positions. While no fuel
was passed, Boeing engineers were able to test
the stress and strain on the Pegasus.
Mikal flew as the aircraft commander of the
KC-135 during the first aerial refueling maneu-
vers of a KC-46 behind a KC-135 and in close
formation with both the KC-10 and KC-46 on
Oct. 19. Two days later, he flew as a pilot aboard
the KC-46 during an aerial refueling receiver
onload fatigue test behind a KC-10. He was the
first Air Force reservist to fly the 767-2C, the
commercial test variant of the KC-46.
“It was a tremendous honor to participate in
and conduct KC-46 testing with the test team,”
Mikal said. “The KC-46 will be an amazing
operational aircraft, and I’m humbled to have
the opportunity to be a part of this amazingly
talented test team.”
Mikal isn’t the only Air Force reservist from
the 370th FLTS qualified to take part in the KC-
46 testing. The 370th has two KC-46 initial cad-
re boom operators — Master Sgts. Aaron Ray
and Scott Scurlock — who will be taking part in
Pegasus refueling testing in the coming months.
The 370th FLTS is an embedded Air Force
Reserve unit with a mission of providing KC-
135 aerial refueling test support to both opera-
tional and test-configured receiver aircraft at
Edwards AFB’s 412th Test Wing. The Reserve
unit also leads management and execution of
the business effort mission at Edwards AFB,
which utilizes operational Air Mobility Com-
mand KC-135 and KC-10 tankers to support
routine refueling of non-test configured 412th
TW receiver aircraft.
Since some 370th FLTS pilots are test pilots
and some of its boom operators are flight test
boom operators, they augment the KC-135, KC-
April 1, 2016 • Volume 30, Issue 4
www.aerotechnews.com
Lt. Col. John Mikal, a KC-46A Pegasus test pilot, is part of the team that’s putting the tanker through a series of critical pre-production tests at
Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
10 and KC-46 flight test and aerial refueling
flight test for Air Force Test Center programs.
On Jan. 24, the KC-46 successfully completed
its first in-flight refueling demonstration as it plans on paper and data from simulation labs,
passed 1,600 pounds of fuel to an F-16C Fight-
ing Falcon.
“These are exciting times for the KC-46A
A KC-46 refuels AV-8B Harrier II March 1, 2016.
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program,” Col. Chris Coombs, the KC-46 sys-
tem program manager at the Air Force Life
Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson
AFB, Ohio, said after that flight. “We have had
but this in-flight demonstration shows we are
truly making progress on bringing this capa-
Boeing photograph by John D. Parker
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not only the U.S.Air Force depending on us,but
the air forces of our partner nations as well.”
“ENJJPT, the world’s only internationally
manned and managed pilot training program,
is considered the premier ghter pilot training
program in the world and has produced more
than 7,100 pilots for the NATO alliance since
its establishment in 1981,” Moga said.
A challenging time
But the wing at Sheppard has faced
some unique challenges in reaching its
goal of 100 percent production. The heavy
rains that ended the area’s drought in
May 2015 unfortunately also damaged the
air eld at Frederick, Oklahoma, which
is used heavily for T-6 aircraft training.
“Thanks to an enormous effort by both of
Sheppard’s wings,and incredible support from
the surrounding communities, we were able to
coordinate the use of the air eld in Duncan
(Oklahoma) while repairs are made to the
Frederick air eld,” Moga said. “Had we not
been able to do that, production capacity and
quality of training would have been seriously
impacted – so we’re very grateful for all the
people on and off Sheppard who have worked
to make that happen.”
Another challenge has been the increasing
age of the T-38 jet eet, which is now more
than 50 years old on average.
“We’re extremely grateful for the dedicated
maintainers who ensure that, day after day,
we have enough mission-ready aircraft to get
the job done,” Moga said. “It’s a challenge that
Volume 12, Number 4 ‘Welcome home!’Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • www.irwin.army.mil April 1, 2016
Courtesy photograph
bility of the next-generation of tankers to the
warfighter supporting our global missions for
years to come.”
After the refueling test with the F-16, the KC-
46A had a robust in-flight refueling demonstra-
tion schedule for the next few weeks. The test
with the fighter jet fulfilled the requirement to
connect to a light/fast receiver aircraft. The re-
maining tests with the boom were scheduled to
use an A-10 Thunderbolt II as the light/slow re-
ceiver and a C-17 Globemaster III as the heavy
receiver.
Mikal said the KC-46 test aircraft will be
spending a lot of time at Edwards AFB in the
coming months as it goes through aerial refuel-
ing certification testing with a host of Air Force
and coalition aircraft.
“There are about 18 different aircraft that
need to be tested as they take on fuel from the
KC-46,” he said. “A lot of that testing will take
place here at Edwards, and I am ready to help
out with that testing however I can.”
Edwards AFB continues to be the premier
base for flight testing the Air Force’s newest
capabilities, and the Air Force Reserve’s 370th
FTS continues to support when needed.
The KC-46A Pegasus is intended to replace Cpl. Eli Marvin – a Soldier with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment – shakes hands with James Pinnix, a Vietnam War Veteran, here,
the Air Force’s aging tanker fleet, which has March 19. Pinnix, of Orange, Calif., was a Navy Hospital Corpsman who served with the United States Marines in Vietnam, 1966-67.
been refueling aircraft for more than 50 years.
With more refueling capacity and enhanced ca- Story and photos by Gustavo Bahena
pabilities, improved efficiency, and increased
Public A airs O ce
See TANKER, Page 2 e National Training Center and Fort Irwin honored Vet-
erans of the Vietnam War era during an event here, March 19.
On a clear, warm day, just before the start of spring, the com-
manding general of this Army combat training center – Maj.
Gen. Joseph Martin – proclaimed, “Welcome Home!” to the
Veterans during a ceremony celebrating their military service.
Approximately 500 Veterans and their guests sat inside a
cavernous tent with Soldiers and leadership during the late
morning ceremony. ey had received a hero’s welcome from
the start of the day, which began with a motorcycle escort to
“Painted Rocks,” just outside the installation gate. ey took
a group photo there and then participated in a parade in front
of the NTC headquarters, where Martin, NTC Command Sgt.
Maj. Edison Rebuck, and their families waved and greeted the
Veterans riding atop military trucks, motorcycles and classic
cars. e route was also lined with hundreds of Soldiers and
family members, who cheered the procession.
e Veterans continued to receive applause and recognition
as they entered the tent for a ceremony and lunch.
Martin expressed that Soldiers and the community was hon-
ored and humbled to host the Veterans “from three generations
ago for their service to our nation.”
“Some of you made a long journey to come here … but all
of you have come here from a long life’s journey in a time and
circumstance of faith that brought you in the prime of your life
to spend a tour of duty, or more, in Vietnam, to serve the United
States in Germany, Korea or elsewhere around the world – to
meet our national security needs,” Martin said.
e guest speaker, Joseph Galloway, was introduced by Col.
Scott Taylor, commander of Fort Irwin United States Army
Garrison. Galloway is a retired journalist and co-author of “We
Were Soldiers Once … and Young.”
Taylor explained Galloway served four tours as a war corre-
spondent in Vietnam. He was recognized in 1998 with a Bronze
Medal with “V” device for rescuing wounded Soldiers under
re in Ia Drang Valley with the 7th Cavalry in November 1965.
“He is the only civilian to be awarded a medal for valor by
the U.S. Army for actions in combat,” Taylor said.
Galloway thanked the former servicemembers in the audi-
ence and stated, “Welcome home brothers and sister Veterans.”
See WELCOME HOME, page 12
HHL16 provides new capabilities to JTACs
By Airman 1st Class Nathan Byrnes
99th Air Base Wing Public A airs
NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. —
Special Operations Command, De-
partment of Defense components and
members from the U.S. Navy, Army,
Marines and Air Force took part in the
operational assessment of the Hand
Held Link 16 radio produced by ViaSat,
March 21-25, 2016, on the Nevada Test
and Training Range.
e HHL16 provides a tactical data
link to joint terminal attack controllers
and pilots, and enables digitally aided
close air support integration.
“ e HHL16 radio will give JTACs the
ability to transmit friendly positions and HHL16 and the data collected during the
send messages directly to ghter aircra
via an extremely secure and encrypted
pathway,” said Capt. Richard Waters,
605th Test and Evaluation Squadron,
Hurlburt Field, Florida, tactical air con- as possible with the organizations and
trol party air liaison o cer, JTAC. “ is
capability signi cantly reduces fratricide
and provides all players in the close air
support arena the ability to positively
identify friendly from foe.”
is operational assessment is the rst war ghter.”
of many that the new HHL16 radio will
undergo during its improvement periods.
“ e HHL16 radio is in the early stages
AF Hangar acceptance testing checklist paves way for new standards
By Susan Lawson
AFCEC Public A airs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. —
Fire protection engineers convened
recently for the final acceptance test of
an aircraft hangar foam fire suppres-
sion system at Nellis Air Force Base,
Nevada.
Scan with
your
smartphone
Ttooocuornwneecbtsite
of development,” said Waters. “We are
testing an extremely capable device that
has been manufactured in a very short
time frame. What we have seen so far
with the testing has been extremely
valuable and useful for both JTACs and
ghter aircra .’
“ e ability to have a portable radio
that can transmit messages onto the
Link 16 network is crucial for the future
of conducting close air support in the
21st century. We have always wanted a
standardized, secure method to imple-
ment digitally aided CAS and this tool
will give us that capability.”
The operational assessment of the
assessment will help with the development
and timely integration of the device.
“It is crucial that we integrate as early
companies that manufacture the battle-
eld systems we utilize in the military,”
said Waters. “Early involvement provides
the developers the insight they need to
make the systems more practical for the
Sta Sgt. Edward Wambolt, 422nd
Test and Evaluation Squadron lead joint
terminal attack controller instructor stat-
__________ See HHL16, on page 3
The addition to the 99th Air Base
Wing fuel cell maintenance hangar was
the first Air Force hangar fire suppres-
sion system to be tested with new Uni-
fied Facilities Criteria, which requires
fire suppression system activation by
triple infrared detection technology.
Judy Biddle, hangar fire suppression
subject matter specialist at the Air
Find us online at
Nellis AFB &
Nellis Bullseye
Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
will continue well into the next decade, when partnership for a signi cant number of NATO
the T-X aircraft is due to replace the aging countries,” said Italian Air Force Col. Paolo
T-38 eet.” Baldasso, 80th Operations Group commander.
“This cooperative program takes advantage
Other obstacles include weather — which of all participating countries’ experience in
is always a wild card in the spring months — the ying business, boosting the abilities and
and potential commercial development around potential of every single graduate and instruc-
Sheppard and the training ranges used to tor, so that in live operations, actions are truly
train pilots. integrated.”
“We are working closely with local com- ENJJPT’s partner nations include Belgium,
munity leaders to strike a balance between Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, the
supporting economic development and safe- Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Turkey,
guarding our mission requirements,” Moga the United Kingdom and the United States.
said. “Working together, it’s possible to nd a Romania has recently applied to join the pro-
solution that works for everyone.” gram. For several nations, ENJJPT is the sole
training source for training its ghter pilots.
The ENJJPT advantage
Despite these challenges, Moga said the That diversity also provides a wide set of
unique nature of ENJJPT provides distinct solutions to the challenges they all face.
advantages.
“As the U.S. Air Force faces a shortage, the “It’s amazing how the different cultures,
number of experienced American pilots avail- perspectives and thought processes that are
able to train the next generation could also be part of an international program like ENJJPT
affected,” Moga said.“For us, the international enhance problem-solving,” Moga said.“It’s one
aspect of ENJJPT means that we not only of the many reasons we operate in coalitions –
have the bene t of experienced Americans we’re stronger when we work together.”
to serve as instructors, but also incredible
instructor pilots from our partner nations. U.S. Air Force efforts
That gives us a exibility other ying training As Team Sheppard continues to focus on
programs don’t have.” maximizing production, the Air Force as a
Moga also stated that the international na- whole is taking steps to address the situation.
ture of daily operations within the wing pays The long-term action is to present law mak-
huge dividends in building the worldwide part- ers with a plan to bridge the ghter gap by
nerships and relationships critical to effective standing up two additional ghter training
global military operations in the 21st century. units to train students out of undergraduate
“ENJJPT is the cradle of ying training and pilot training, and increase UPT production
See PILoT, Page 23
Train the world’s greatest F-35 and F-16 ghter pilots April 8, 2016
Vol. 16, No. 14
INSIDE
Vol. 9, No. 4 Serving Southern Arizona’s military community, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base April 1, 2016
STORIES
Vol. 66 No. 13 AN AEROTECH NEWS AND REVIEW PUBLICATION • WWW.AEROTECHNEWS.COM  Cadets soar in AZ, 3
April 1, 2016  From dice to advice, 4
Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona draws thousands  Tuskegee Airmen, 6
 Warn kids about drugs, 7
 5k color run, 13
INDEX
Action line ............................. 2
Briefs..................................... 3
Spotlight ................................ 4
Diversions ........................... 16
Sports.................................. 19
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan Byrnes QUOTE OF THE WEEK Airman 1st Class Shan Ridge
A civilian contractor and a joint terminal attack controller use the Hand Held Link 16, which The Red Bull Demonstration Team performs during the Luke Air Force Base 75 Years of Airpower air show.
enables digitally aided close air support integration during the operational assessment of “Be dependable, competent, ef-
the HHL16 radio March 24, on the Nevada Test and Training Range. Link 16 was originally ficient and aggressive. Understand Luke Celebrates 75 Years of Airpower
designed for air-to-air missions, but the technology has made the transition to ground forces how and where you fit into the
providing JTACs advantages on the battle eld that they didn’t previously have. wing’s mission and why your job is
important. Finally, be the Airman
who finds a way to ‘yes.’”
Col. Robert Novotny
48th Fighter Wing commander
Story by aerial demonstration team and F-16 pilots in the Air Force. munities and allowed Airmen
56th Fighter Wing the rst-ever performance and “This was my rst air show,” the opportunity to interact with
Force Civil Engineer Center at Tyndall depending on the fire protection engi- PUBLIC AFFAIRS appearance by the F-35 Heri- and thank those community
AFB, Florida, has been developing neer overseeing the test. There was no LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, tage Team, which featured the said Jowellyn Thomas, Good- members for their unwavering
standardized checklist to be followed uniformity even within agencies. Arizona -- Luke opened its F-35 Lightning II ying along- year resident who attended the support.
for all future acceptance tests around doors to a record 425,000 people side the original Lightning, the air show. “It was breathtaking
the world. “In order to provide a more reliable during its “75 Years of Air- P-38. and I’m really looking forward “The partnerships we have
re suppression system and reduce or power” air show April 2 and 3. to the next one!” and the friendships we share
The standardized project acceptance eliminate false activations, we need both The show provided a glimpse When they weren’t ying, the are absolutely vital to what we
checklist effort began after it was dis- oversight and consistency,” Biddle said. into the history of the Air Force F-35 Heritage Team members Putting together an air show do at Luke AFB” said Brig. Gen.
covered that the hangar fire suppres- ______ See CHECKLIST, on page 3 with jets such as the World War were busy handing out and with more than 40 static dis- Scott Pleus 56th Fighter Wing
sion acceptance testing process differed II A-26 Invader and a glimpse signing photos for thousands of plays and 11 aerial acts takes commander. “All year long we
into the Air Force’s future with visitors to the base. a team effort. get unending support from our
WANTED: Motivated volunteer to lead the Nellis Retiree A airs Luke’s own F-35 Lightning II. elected leaders, businesses and
“Simply stated, the air show Another highlight of the “From successfully screening those who live throughout the
O ce. Would you be interested in a dynamic position that helps Las was a tremendous success,” said show was the close air sup- our guests to supporting the Valley — and once every two
Vegas area Retirees? Do you enjoy teamwork and making a di er- Lt. Col. Christopher Bacon, air port demonstration, during best air acts from around the years we get the opportunity to
ence? Please contact the 99th ABW Commander Action Group at show director. which the F-16 Fighting Falcons world, my hat goes off to each give something back in the form
702-652-9900 or email 99ABW.CAG@us.af.mil by April 15. The show was headlined by showed off their combat capabil- and every member of my air of an air show. It is our way of
the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds ities. This “live” demonstration show team and the countless saying ‘thanks’ for allowing us
featured pyrotechnic explosions volunteers who made it hap- to be a part of this great com-
to simulate bombs was a crowd pen,” Bacon said. munity.”
favorite and highlighted the fact
Luke AFB trains 97 percent of The turnout highlighted the
tremendous support for Luke
AFB from the surrounding com-
(U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chris Massey) Go to luke.af.mil for Luke Facebook link Ucosennyeocutrtsomoaurrtpwheobnseiteto!
Two A-10C Thunderbolt IIs y in tandem during a demonstration at the Thunder and Lightning over Arizona Open House at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 12, 2016. The Desert Lightning
Team demonstration included A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, HH-60G Pave Hawks and an HC-130J Combat King.
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