Page 1 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, July 2019
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“We train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen†July 2019
Vol. 18, No. 7
INSIDE F-35 Lighting II
maintainers from
StorIES both the U.S. Air
ï® F-16 hits 10K hours, 3 Force and Royal
ï® Luke maintainers best in Norwegian Air
Force work together
AF, 4 at Orland Air Base,
ï® May ALS grads , 4 Norway, to turn two
ï® F-35s demo global reach, 5 American jets after
ï® Resident bill of rights, 6 a sortie June 17.
FEAtUrE The visit marked
the first time Ameri-
Staff Sgt. Jonathan Snyder can F-35s have
landed in Norway,
U.S. AIR FORCE IN PHOTOS which operates its
own fleet of the
See Page 10 fifth-generation
fighters, and served
as valuable training
for the Norwegian
maintainers. A fleet
of F-35s is currently
deployed to Europe
as part of the Eu-
ropean Deterrence
Initiative, as a way
of proving the U.S.
Air Force’s ability to
rapidly deploy fifth-
generation fighters
to European bases.
Norwegian F-35 maintainers service
American jets in historic first-time visit
Continue to get Luke’s latest Story and photo by Master Sgt. are entering the fifth-generation fighter Burnside said because Norway is a part-
news and information from AUSTIN MAY era, it’s important to both have the U.S. on ner in the F-35 program, it’s extremely
these sources: http://www. board and to train with the other partners important to continue to foster this rela-
aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/ 52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs around the North Sea. tionship. Additionally, he said Norway’s
geographic location is immensely strategic,
http://www.luke.af.mil ORLAND AIR BASE, Norway — For “To have multinational cooperation with- as they have a large responsibility in quick
and social media the first time outside the U.S., Norwegian in these nations and to have a significant reaction alert to scramble fighters to inter-
and American F-35 Lightning II maintain- F-35-capable force in the North Atlantic, cept hostile aircraft in the Arctic region, if
Luke56thFW @LukeAFB ers worked together on their aircraft June of course that is important,†Guldvog said. necessary.
17. “This is the first step.â€
Date of publication The now-proven ability of RNorAF’s
A team of five maintainers and four pi- While the visit was short, it was an op- Lightning II maintainers to successfully
First Friday lots from the 421st Expeditionary Fighter portunity to practice seamless integration catch and turn American F-35s is a huge
Squadron deployed to Norway for the his- in preparation for future deployments. milestone for the country.
of the month toric cross-servicing event, during which
the maintenance teams received and turned “Air operations are often multinational, “F-35s will be the most important com-
Submission deadline two American F-35As after their arrival so it’s important that we train together bat element within the Norwegian defense
from Finland. and find every opportunity to interact on a agencies,†Guldvog said. “Not just the air
15th day of the month normal basis,†Guldvog said. force. It will be the most potent offensive
The Norwegian air force already operates capability in Norway.â€
prior to date of publication a fleet of 12 F-35s at Orland Air Base, and According to U.S. Air Force Capt. Brett
plans to eventually employ 52 of the fifth- Burnside, 421st EFS F-35 pilot, the entire A fleet of F-35As is currently deployed
Veterans generation aircraft throughout Norway. The endeavor felt familiar and without any to Europe as part of the European Deter-
visit was the first time American F-35s have significant challenges. rence Initiative, which enables the U.S. to
Tell us Your Story landed in Norway. enhance a deterrence posture, increase the
Active-duty, Reserve, Retirees “Even though they are from a different readiness and responsiveness of U.S. forces
All military branches are included “All firsts are special,†said Royal Norwe- country and speak a different language, in Europe, support the collective defense
gian Air Force Lt. Col. Eirik Guldvog, 132nd they are fighter pilots as we are,†Burnside and security of NATO allies and bolster
Email name, phone number and a Air Wing executive officer and chief of staff. said. “We simply connected with them on the security and capacity of U.S. partners.
brief description of your service to “For Norway and our European allies, who our F-35 datalink and it was just like work-
ing with any U.S. F-35 unit.â€
56fwpathunderbolt@us.af.mil
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