Page 13 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 3-11-16

Thunderbolt NEWS March 11, 2016
http://www.luke.af.mil
13Facebook.com/LukeThunderbolt
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Luke Air Force Base
Wingman Day March 21

A “Comedy is the Cure” Civilians and contractors
performance, by comedian are welcome and encouraged
Bernie Grenahan, is an in- to attend. Master resiliency
novative prevention program trainers will be available
which focuses on safety, re- with resources and materials.
spect, resiliency and bystand-
er intervention. The event is For more information, call
9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. at Sharon Kozak, 56th Fighter
Club Five Six. Wing Community Support
coordinator, at 623-856-2716.

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Army Rangers exercise close-air support with F-35s Exchange backs

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Florida — 35A and how it can support ground troops &RXUWHV\SKRWR its ‘Buddies’
Although the Air Force separated from the in a future deployed environment.
Army in 1947, the two forces have a long “The F-35 was designed to fight in a dif- with exclusive
history of working together to dominate the After the exercise, Collins reiterated the ferent environment, specifically an environ-
sky and ground in combat. importance of training in a joint environ- ment we could face if hostilities broke out in offers, savings
ment to maximize the capabilities of the another portion of the world. Assuming we
This tradition continues today with joint force. would be among the first there, this would DALLAS – The Army & Air Force
the 3rd Ranger Battalion, 75th Ranger be critical information,” one of the rangers Exchange Service strives to make it
Regiment’s recent visit to Eglin Air Force “It really shouldn’t matter which aircraft said. “Along with that, we learned what easy for shoppers to exercise their
Base, Florida, to conduct close-air support (or) branch of service is acting as the con- other assets and capabilities we would need benefit.
exercises with a pair of F-35A Lightning II trolling party,” Collins said. “The common to augment the F-35 on our current missions
fighter jets. Soldiers of the ranger battalion guidelines of the joint doctrine allow us to to meet our commander’s intent.” That’s why the Exchange brings
are fire support specialists responsible for operate seamlessly across a broad spectrum of exclusive offers directly to shoppers’
intelligence activities of the Army’s field scenarios in the safest, most efficient manner.” As the F-35 progresses to initial opera- inboxes every week when they sign up
artillery team. tional capabilities, the aircraft and its Air- for the Exchange Buddy List. Shoppers
The Soldiers said the exercise was suc- men continue train to execute suppression who sign up will be among the first
Two F-35As teamed up with the battalion cessful because it allowed them to test the and destruction of enemy air defenses, air to find out about exclusive savings,
to provide air support against simulated capabilities and limitations of the jet as a interdiction missions and basic close-air promotions, events and special offers
hostile targets in close proximity to the part of their mission set. support. at their local Exchange.
rangers. One of the capabilities of the F-35
is to provide support to ground forces, to “Shoppers should not have to hunt
include joint terminal attack controllers and to find information on promotions
joint fire observers. and events at their local Exchange,”
said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Sean
“This was the first time these guys have Applegate, Exchange senior enlisted
worked with the F-35A,” said Air Force Maj. advisor. “That’s why we provide a way
Christopher Collins, a pilot in the 33rd Op- for them to get the latest deals, direct
erations Support Squadron. “It was a great from the source, with a minimum of
opportunity to share tactics and showcase fuss: just sign up on our secure website
some of the unique capabilities we have and start getting weekly updates.”
with this jet.”
The Buddy List delivers emails
In a CAS mission, rangers are responsible about worldwide and local promotions
for setting up and operating communica- to approximately 134,000 authorized
tions systems to encode and decode mes- Exchange shoppers. Customers inter-
sages, assist in the preparation of fire sup- ested in receiving these messages can
port plans with target coordinates, operate sign up at their local Exchange.
laser range finders and target devices, and
determine target locations using computers &RXUWHV\RI$$)(6
or manual calculations.

For the rangers, this exercise allowed
them to familiarize themselves with the F-