Page 1 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, August 2019

“We train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen”
INSIDE
August 2019 Vol. 18, No. 8
F-35 shows stuff at airshow ...
Airshow spectators wave as Capt. Andrew Olson, F-35 Demonstration Team pilot and commander returns from performing an aerial demonstration during the Arctic Lightning Airshow July 13 at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. During aerial ma- neuvers, the jet reaches speeds of up to 750 miles per hour. The aerial demonstration consists of 16 maneuvers that fully showcase the capabilities of the F-35A Lightning II.
Senior Airman Alexander Cook
StorIES
Money Strong, 3
ALS grads, 4
Solo flight program, 5 Ball gowns for AF Ball, 6 Luke blood drive, 12
FEAtUrE
Load crew competition
See Page 10
Airman Brooke Moeder
US, RAF perform first joint F-35A hot pit refueling training
by 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE MARHAM, United Kingdom — Airmen assigned to Hill Air Force Base, Utah, had the opportunity to train Royal Air Force personnel July 18 on hot pit refueling procedures at RAF Marham.
Hot pit refueling is the process in which ground crew Airmen refuel an aircraft while its engines are still running, allowing the aircraft the ability to get back into the air as quickly as possible.
“It’s amazing that we have been given the opportunity to come
Airman 1st Class Shanice Williams-Jones
Airmen assigned to the 388th Fighter Wing and 419th FW in- struct Royal Air Force airmen refuel an F-35A Lightning II July 17 at RAF Marham, United Kingdom. The U.S. Airmen assisted RAF personnel during joint training to enhance global readi- ness and promote interoperability with U.S. and NATO allies.
to the United Kingdom and train with the Airmen of the RAF,” said Senior Airman Anthony Louden, 75th Logistics Readiness Squadron fuels journeyman. “If one of our F-35s needs to refuel at an RAF base, we now have the confidence and trust that these guys know what they’re doing.”
This was the RAF Marham Visiting Aircraft Servicing Section or VASS, team’s first time refueling a U.S. Air Force F-35A Lightning II in preparation for future partnership capabilities. The VASS team learned the safety and troubleshooting procedures including emergency shutdown and evacuation processes.
“We’ve not had the F-35s here very long and this is the first time we’ve gotten to work with the F-35A model,” Senior Aircraftman Technician Joshua Staff, VASS personnel. “The U.S. Airmen were very professional and taught us exactly what we needed through a step-by-step process.”
According to Staff, it is a great advantage to be able to train with the U.S. as it gives the U.K. aircraft personnel the opportunity to strengthen and expand their capabilities to respond to operational mission requirements.
“It was when I picked up my hose and approached the aircraft after they taxied through our cursory and parked by the refueling unit, that the importance of this training dawned on me,” Louden said. “It set in right then that I was a part of the first step to solidifying the partnership with our NATO allies through shared knowledge and growth.”
Bilateral training events like this support and expand global reach through combat readiness and increase the U.S. Air Force’s ability to deploy alongside NATO allies and deter any adversary.
Continue to get Luke’s latest news and information from these sources: http://www. aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/ http://www.luke.af.mil and social media
Luke56thFW @LukeAFB
Date of publication
First Friday
of the month Submission deadline 15th day of the month prior to date of publication
Veterans
Tell us Your Story Active-duty, Reserve, Retirees All military branches are included
Email name, phone number and a brief description of your service to 56fwpathunderbolt@us.af.mil
Go to www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
or use your smartphone to connect to our website!