Page 3 - Desert Lightning News So. AZ Edition News – Year in Review 2023

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March
F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Thomas Bristol, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team dedicated crew chief, marshals in Maj. Kristin “BEO” Wolfe, F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team commander and pilot, during the Heritage Flight Training Course at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, March 4, 2023. The F-35A Lightning II Demonstration Team’s aerial profile is unique to the team and Wolfe is the only pilot certified to fly it in the United States Air Force.
Women’s
Leadership
Symposium 2023
A diversity and inclusion panel answers questions during the Women’s Leadership Symposium at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, March 28, 2023. Attendees were able to connect with other Desert Lightning Team members from outside of their squadron
and have meaningful conversation about a wide variety of topics.
Heritage Flight Training Course 2023
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jhade Herrera
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon flies over Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, March 4, 2023. The F-16 Viper Demonstration Team performs in over 20 airshows annually around the country, as well as internationally to recruit, retain and inspire the next generation of U.S. Air Force Airmen.
Capt. Lindsay “MAD”
Johnson new A-10 Demo
Team commander
U.S. Air Force Capt. Lindsay “MAD” John- son was certified as the new A-10C Thunderbolt II Demonstration Team pilot by Gen. Mark Kelly, commander of Air Com- bat Command, at Davis- Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, March 3, 2023.
Johnson will be replac- ing Maj. Haden “Gator” Fullam as the commander and pilot of the A-10 Dem- onstration Team.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Paige Weldon
Courtesy photo
Air Show honors Hometown Hero
Brett Becko, 355th Wing’s nominated “Hometown Hero,” boards an F-16 Fighting Falcon assigned to the Air Force’s flight demonstration squadron, the “Thunderbirds,” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Arizona, March 24, 2023. The Thunderbirds offered Brett the opportunity to participate in an orientation flight to recognize and thank the southern Arizona resident for his contributions to the community while in Tucson for the 2023 Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona Air Show.
“It’s an absolute privilege to be selected as the newest team commander and pilot,” Johnson said. “I’m incred- ibly grateful for the countless mentors who have allowed this opportunity to be an option for me, and I’m looking forward to paying it forward.”
Johnson is an experienced fighter pilot having accumu- lated over 1,250 flying hours, including 431 in combat. She began her Air Force career in 2014 after commis- sioning through the Air Force Academy.
For more information on the A-10 Demonstration Team visit their Facebook at A-10 Demonstration Team, Instagram at A10demoteam, or website at https://www. dm.af.mil/A-10-Demonstration-Team/.
U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Kristine Legate
Staff
Publisher ...............................................................................Paul Kinison Business Manager ................................................................Lisa Kinison Editor .........................................................................................KC Rawley Advertising Representative ................................................Sandi Bueltel Designer ..................................................................................Tinna Sellie
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