Page 18 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 7-10-15

July 10, 2015 FEATURE Thunderbolt
http://www.luke.af.mil
18 www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb

The 309th Fighter Squadron Wild Ducks graduated Courtesy photo
seven F-16 Fighting Falcon pilots today in class 14-
DBC. They are, from left, 1st Lts. Theodore Adams,
Chase Welch, Aaron Young, Dane Lannon, Colby
Kloepper, David Apsey and Sal Cruz.

by Lt. Col. to-air employment, 14-DBC moved on to FKDOOHQJH2SHUDWLRQ%(*,1&203/,- Á\LQJ 7KH JUDGXDWLRQ ZDV DOVR PDGH
WILLIAM MCKIBBAN mastering air-to-ground skill sets. This ANCE. This exercise consisted of a possible by the Mad Mallard instructor
began with basic weapon delivery sorties representative air tasking order and pilots who pushed, cajoled, motivated,
309th Fighter Squadron where the students were instructed on mission planning process, culminat- and challenged them.
the employment of unguided bombs on ing in complex force-on-force scenarios
$PHULFD·V QHZHVW ÀJKWHU SLORWV DUH the Barry M. Goldwater Range. integrated with warriors from both the Congratulations 14-DBC. Continue to
ready to join the most lethal combat air 21st FS and 607th Air Control Squadron. make us proud, and best of luck going
IRUFHWKHZRUOGKDVHYHUNQRZQ7KHÀYH They were then introduced to the mu- These missions consisted of nearly 20 IRUZDUG 2QFH D 'XFN $OZD\V D 'XFN
active-duty and two Air National Guard nitions they will employ in combat after ´EOXHµÀJKWHUVVLPXOWDQHRXVO\DWWDFNLQJ 440)4XDFNTXDFNP\IULHQG
RIÀFHUV RI FODVV '%& KDYH VXFFHVV- departing Luke — laser-guided bombs targets defended by simulated surface-
fully completed the F-16 Basic Course and GPS-guided munitions. While most WRDLUPLVVLOHVDQG´UHGµÀJKWHUV 1st Lt. Theodore Adams
and will celebrate this accomplishment missions consisted of simulated employ- Hondo, Texas
today with loved ones, academic instruc- ment, each student had the opportunity While the effort and perseverance re-
tors and instructor pilots. to employ live weapons. quired to graduate was all theirs, class Kunsan Air Base, South Korea
14-DBC’s milestone would not have been
Class 14-DBC’s stay at Luke Air Force The class progressed to close-air sup- possible without the combined efforts 1st Lt. Colby Kloepper
Base began nine months ago with an port and surface attack tactics phases of Team Luke. From across the base, Hiawatha, Kansas
intense initial phase of academic and ZKHUHWKH\ÁHZLQIRUFHVRIIRXUWRHLJKW there isn’t one individual who didn’t
simulator training. Much of the course’s aircraft. These “missionized” scenarios contribute to the success of the gradu- Tulsa ANG, Oklahoma
236 hours of academic training, 10 for- most closely replicate the types of com- ates. The members of the 309th Aircraft
mal exams and 42 simulator missions bat missions they will execute in support Maintenance Unit moved mountains to 1st Lt. Aaron Young
were concentrated in this initial phase, of national objectives. keep the oldest F-16s in the Air Force Wellington, Colorado
although ground training continued Osan AB, South Korea
throughout the course. &ODVV'%&ZDVSUHVHQWHGRQHÀQDO 1st Lt. Sal Cruz
Monterrey, Mexico
After a month of ground training, the 1st Lt. David Apsey Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina
pilots moved from the 56th Training Deckerville, Michigan
Squadron to the 309th Fighter Squadron. Vermont Air National Guard 1st Lt. Chase Welch
Murrieta, California
Flying training started with the tran- 1st Lt. Dane Lannon Shaw AFB, South Carolina
VLWLRQ SKDVH ZKLFK WDXJKW WKHP WR Á\ Framingham, Massachuttes
the F-16 Fighting Falcon in accordance
with technical orders, Air Force instruc- Kunsan AB, South Korea
tions, and Federal Aviation Administra-
tion guidance.

The transition phase concluded with
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ation where the students proved them-
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nontactical pilot. The next was the one
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demonstrated competence in dynamic
maneuvering under high g-force in rela-
tion to adversaries in close proximity.

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they progressed to two vs. one, two vs.
two and eventually four vs. four air
combat tactics missions, mimicking real-
world tactical employment of the F-16.

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