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Train the world’s greatest F-35 and F-16 fighter pilots March 11, 2016
Vol. 16, No. 10
INSIDE
STORIES
AFAF, 3
E-8 promotions, 4
100 percenter, 4
Top out TSP, 5
Tuskegee Airmen, 6
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Celebrating 3DJH
75 years
Lightning II to touch down at air shows world-wide
of air power
Story and photo by Staff Sgt. the first-ever F-35 heritage flight team. We on the ground as they are from the air.
INDEX STACI MILLER are really laying the foundation for years to “Viewers will see a remarkable show,”
come.We know it’s going to be a great season,
Action line ............................. 2 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs and we’re ecstatic about talking with differ- said Master Sgt. Ed DeLeon, F-35 heritage
Briefs..................................... 3 ent communities and showcasing the F-35.” flight team superintendent. “They will see
Spotlight ................................ 4 Aviation and F-35A fanatics have some- America’s newest technology and compare
Diversions ........................... 16 thing special to look forward to this 2016 The team practiced their entire routine the advances first hand. We’re going to
Sports.................................. 19 air show season. at the conference. The maintainers were showcase the past, present and future of
able to show off their coordinated take-off the Air Force.”
QUOTE OF THE WEEK The Lightning II qualified March 6 at and landing procedures while Andreotta
the Heritage Flight Conference at Davis- practiced and perfected flying in formation The team will travel to 16 air shows
“It is not necessarily easy to provide Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, to take with heritage aircraft. In the backseat of around the U.S. and abroad.
honest feedback. Obvious deficiencies part in the Air Combat Command Air Force one of those heritage aircraft held a very
can be easy to identify and communi- Heritage Flight program. interested passenger. “We’re very excited about demonstrat-
cate, but it can be difficult to come up ing this capability to the world,” said Air
with areas of improvement for your The program features modern U.S. Air “I got to jump into the back of a P-51 Mus- Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh III in
unit’s outstanding performers.” Force fighter aircraft flying alongside World tang and view an F-35 off the wing,” said Lt. January when the service first announced
War II, Korean and Vietnam-era aircraft in Gen. Darryl Roberson, Air Education and the F-35’s participation in the Royal Inter-
Lt. Col. John Hansen a dynamic display of our nation’s airpower Training Command commander. “Our F-35 national Air Tattoo this summer at Royal
86th Comptroller Squadron history. team is ready to hit the road for the show Air Force Fairford, England. “The F-35
season. It was awesome to see it up close and represents a new way of thinking about
WEATHER “Being a part of these heritage flights personal. I feel very confident in what the data integration, weapons and tactics. We’re
allows the world to learn more about the Luke team is doing here, and I’m excited for thrilled to highlight the program and the
Today F-35 and at the same time see just how far them to show this aircraft off to the world.” amazing Airmen who support this cutting-
airpower has come over the years,” said edge fighter.”
84°/53° Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, 56th Fighter Wing From the opposite perspective, Andreotta
commander. “The F-35 will be the backbone experienced flying in formation with heri- The F-35 heritage flight team gets to
Mostly of the Air Force fighter fleet and represent tage aircraft for the first time during the officially start their historic first season
Cloudy the future for the U.S., our partners and conference. at home.
allies. This will be a great opportunity for
everyone to see how amazing the F-35 is.” “It’s surreal to be flying the latest and “Our first show is at Luke,” DeLeon said.
greatest fighter aircraft in the world and “It’s nice to be able to start at home and
The F-35 heritage flight team includes look over to see fighter aircraft from World showcase what we’re all about in front of
one pilot and 10 maintainers, all selected War II, Vietnam and Korea right next to our friends and families. After that, I’m so
from the 61st Fighter Squadron at Luke you that were the greatest fighters of their excited to get on the road and show the
Air Force Base. generation,” Andreotta said. “It’s like pass- world what we’re all about.”
ing the torch in the lineage.”
“My team and I are very excited for this Luke will present the “75 Years of Air-
year,” said Maj.William Andreotta, F-35 heri- Heritage flights are just as incredible power” air show to the Arizona community
tage flight team pilot.“We’re so honored to be April 2 and 3.
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