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Train the world’s greatest F-35 and F-16 ghter pilots May 2016
Vol. 16, No. 18
INSIDE 61st FS delivers ‘the goods’
STORIES Airman 1st Class Ridge Shan
F-35 at pivot point, 3
T-bolt wins AF award, 4 An F-35 Lightning II from the 61st Fighter Squadron deploys a GBU-12 500-pound laser-guided bomb for the first time in
Green Dot, 5 the squadron’s history April 25 at the Barry M. Goldwater Range in Gila Bend, Arizona. Three F-35s successfully delivered
Pharmacy changes, 6 six inert GBU-12s during the practice sortie, making the 61st FS the second squadron at Luke Air Force Base to drop
Children who left bombs from the F-35.
Turkey, 7 Goldfein to be the 21st chief of sta of AF
INDEX WASHINGTON — De- ments Oversight Council and Deputy Advisory Working Group.
fense Secretary Ash Carter “I am pleased to support the nomination of General David Gold-
Action line ............................. 2 announced April 26 that
Briefs..................................... 3 the president has nomi- fein as our next chief of staff,” said Air Force Secretary Deborah
Spotlight ................................ 4 nated Air Force Vice Chief Lee James. “General Goldfein possesses the experience and vision
Diversions ........................... 21 of Staff Gen. David Gold- needed to address dynamic global challenges and increasing mili-
Sports.................................. 27 fein to be the 21st chief of tary demand. He knows how to build and sustain key partnerships,
staff of the Air Force, suc- has important war ghting experience, and will exercise the critical
First ceeding Gen. Mark Welsh judgement required to balance our manpower and resources as we
III, who has served in the shape tomorrow’s Air Force. There is not a better person to lead
MEdo nittiholny position since 2012. our Airmen into the next century of airpower dominance.”
“I’m extremely humbled
Launches by the nomination to serve Prior to his current position, Goldfein was the director of the
as the Air Force’s 21st Joint Staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., where he as-
TODAY chief of staff. If con rmed, sisted the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in ful lling his
I pledge to serve our Air- responsibilities as the principal military adviser to the president
Continue to get Luke’s latest men and their families and secretary of defense.
news and information from Gen. David Goldfein unwaveringly and honor
these sources: http://www.aero- “Dave Goldfein is an Airman who epitomizes warrior leadership,
Air Force Vice Chief of Staff our remarkable heritage and that’s exactly what our Air Force deserves,” Welsh said. “He
technews.com/lukeafb/, connects deeply with Airmen, he supports their families relent-
http://www.luke.af.mil and legacy of integrity, lessly, and he absolutely recognizes the criticality of our service’s
service and excellence,” Goldfein said. “I also look forward to join- mission. Most importantly, he and Dawn understand the remark-
and social media ing my fellow service chiefs as a member of the Joint Chiefs of able privilege they’ve been afforded in serving the nation.”
Staff. General Mark and Betty Welsh continue to be exceptional
Date of publication stewards of our service, and Dawn and I are honored to follow in Goldfein is a command pilot with more than 4,200 ying hours
their footsteps.” in the T-37 Tweet, T-38 Talon, F-16C/D Fighting Falcon, F-117A
First Friday Goldfein entered the Air Force in June 1983 as a graduate of Nighthawk, MQ-9 Reaper, and MC-12W. He has own combat mis-
the U.S. Air Force Academy. He has been assigned to numerous sions in operations Desert Shield, Desert Storm, Allied Force, and
of the month operational, command and staff positions. He currently serves Enduring Freedom. Goldfein has received numerous awards for
Submission deadline as the vice chief of staff, where he presides over the Air Staff his military service including the Defense Distinguished Service
and serves as a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Require- Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf
15th day of the month clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Valor device and
oak leaf cluster.
prior to date of publication
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May 15
