Page 8 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt May 5 2017

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Pilots mark 50-year reunion learning about future of airpower
May 2017 NEWS Thunderbolt www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb http://www.luke.af.mil
Afghanistan
At 7:32 p.m. local time April 13 U.S. Forces Afghanistan conducted a strike on an Islamic State of Iraq and Syria- Khorasan tunnel complex in Achin district, Nangarhar province as part
of ongoing efforts to defeat ISIS-K in Afghanistan.
Estonia
Two F-35A Lightning II aircraft and about 20 supporting Airmen arrived at Ämari Air Base April 25 from Royal Air Force Lak- enheath, England, for their first training deployment to Europe.
California
A combined team of Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen launched an un- armed Minuteman III intercontinental bal- listic missile equipped with a single test re-entry vehicle April 26 from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Antarctica
Citizen Airmen assigned to the 446th Airlift Wing and active-duty Air Force members assigned to the 62nd AW formed blended aircrews to deploy as part of the 304th Expeditionary Airlift Squadron who provide airlift to the Antarctic in support of the NSF-man- aged U.S. Antarctic Program.
Story and photo by Senior Airman JAMES HENSLEY
56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
A 1967 undergraduate pilot training class from Williams Air Force Base, Mesa, recently celebrated a 50-year reunion at Luke Air Force Base, by visiting the 63rd and 310th fighter squadrons.
The UPT class of German navy and air force pilots went on to complete F-104 Starfighter initial qualification training at Luke Air Force Base in a heritage-filled squadron named the Cactus Starfighter Squadron.
“We wanted to showcase the F-35 Lightning II and give the group a chance to see what direction the Air Force is go- ing with this new technology,” said Maj. Hunter Powell, 63rd Fighter Squadron F-35 instructor pilot. “As part of their visit of the 63rd FS, I was able to give them a rundown of how we train with the F-35 and some of its capabilities. It gave them the opportunity to see the F-35 up close.”
This opportunity is a result of the part- nership the CSS pilots have with both the 63rd and 310th FSs that has lasted more than 17 years. More than 2,700 German fighter pilots were trained at Luke AFB between 1958 and 1983 in the F-84 Thun- derstreak and F-104 Starfighter aircraft. These German pilots became known as the Cactus Starfighter Squadron and were deeply involved in cultural events and philanthropic activities at Luke, Glendale, and within Phoenix.
Maj. Hunter Powell, 63rd Fighter Squadron F-35 Lightning II instructor pilot, talks to the Undergraduate Pilot Training class of 1967 about how F-35 pilots train at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The pilots visited the 63rd FS April 12, 2017 and were briefed on what the F-35 does at Luke and how it impacts the Air Force.
“The partnership between the Cac- tus Starfighter Squadron and Luke Air Force Base started in 2000 with the 63rd Fighter Squadron. After the squadron deactivated in 2009, we moved from the 63rd to the 310th FS,” said retired Lt. Col. Karl Boettcher, fighter pilot. “We do events here like attend graduations, pilot-
naming parties, and we also celebrate a big Octoberfest where we invite the 310th FS pilots out for some German food and music.”
The 310th FS conference room houses some of the gathered memorabilia of the CSS history. It’s CSS history and Luke’s history, Boettcher said.
“Upholding the history and heritage of the CSS is important as we build the future of airpower and future fighter pilots here at Luke,” Powell said. “It’s an honor to tour UPT class 67E around Luke during their 50th reunion, especially the German fighter pilots who trained here almost 50 years ago.”