Page 3 - Nellis AFB Bullseye 9-11-15

BULLSEYE News 3September 11, 2015

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AWARD, from page 1 __________ that you’re going to get an award like namesake, served as a radio operator the plane, Erwin was able to throw the
this,” said Tech. Sgt. James Juniper, 34th aboard a B-29 Superfortress in the Asia- bomb out of a window, saving the aircraft
also showed leadership and self-improve- WS special mission aviator. “For being Pacific theater during World War II. and its crew. For his actions, Erwin was
ment, furthering his education by complet- new to the unit, it shows that he’s the During a 1945 bombing mission over awarded the Medal of Honor.
ing four college level entry placement exams one we wanted to hire; it shows that we Koriyama, Japan, a phosphorus bomb
and working toward a Bachelor’s degree. picked the right person.” prematurely exploded in the aircraft “[Erwin’s story] just epitomizes doing
seriously wounding him. As smoke filled everything you can possibly do for your
“We’re proud of him. It’s not likely Staff Sgt. Henry E. Erwin, the award’s crew,” Raemer said.

F35As, from page 1 ____________ U.S. Air Force photo by Ron Bradshaw hands on the new jet, said Lt. Col. Dar-
rin Dronoff, chief of the F-35 program
the Utah Test and Training Range and Col. David Lyons, 388th Fighter Wing commander, speaks to Airmen, civic leaders and integration office for the 388th FW.
Hill’s Ogden Air Logistics Complex, media after delivering an operational F-35A Lightning II aircraft to Hill Air Force Base,
which performs F-35 depot maintenance Utah, Sept. 2. Lyons, along with Lt. Col. Yosef Morris, 34th Fighter Squadron director of Both the 388th and 419th have trained
and modifications. The integration of operations, delivered the first two jets, known as AF-77 and AF-78, at approximately 1 p.m. F-35 pilots ready to begin flying the new
the active duty and reserve fighter wings MDT after a 90-minute flight from the F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas. These jets, and there are more pilots and main-
provides increased flexibility and combat aircraft are the first two of up to 72 jets that will be assigned to both the active-duty 388th tainers currently in training.
surge capability. and Reserve 419th Fighter Wings at Hill.
The wings will take a week to familiar-
“This is a great day in the history of to fly combat-coded F-16s when they F-35s per month until 72 aircraft have ize themselves with the aircraft, receive
Hill Air Force Base. We have to have parts and begin tracking the aircraft in
these aircraft to achieve air dominance entered the fleet. been delivered. a maintenance database.
in the future for the United States,” said
Col. Bryan Radliff, 419th Fighter Wing The wings will receive one to two Airmen at Hill are eager to get their “The plan is to start flying after Labor
commander. “We are extremely proud to Day. We’ll start by flying twice a week,
be a part of this association.” but that will slowly progress as we receive
more aircraft and training progresses,”
Since the basing announcement in said Dronoff.
2013, Hill has spent more than $120 mil-
lion and completed numerous renovation While flying won’t start for a week,
and construction projects to prepare for training for maintainers starts immedi-
F-35 operations. ately — including the Airmen who will
be towing the first aircraft from the ramp
“The reason we’re here today is be- to the hangar, Dronoff said.
cause of our Airmen, civilians, contrac-
tors and outstanding community who “Everyone touching the aircraft is a
stood behind us 100 percent,” said Col. formally trained F-35 Airman — hand-
Ron Jolly, 75th Air Base Wing com- selected crews from pilots to maintainers to
mander. “We know the capabilities of back-shop people,” said Dronoff. “But, we’re
this aircraft. We are on the cutting edge also training Airmen brand new to the F-35.
and we’re very proud to be a part of that We’re taking advantage of every training op-
cutting edge.” portunity because this is the first time many
of them have had their hands on an F-35.”
The 388th and 419th Fighter wings
were also the first units in the Air Force The base will hold a formal ceremony
to commemorate the arrival of the F-35
in mid-October.

U.S. Air Force photo by Alex R. Lloyd U.S. Air Force photo by R. Nial Bradshaw

The first two operational F-35A Lightning II aircraft arrive at Hill Air Force An F-35A Lightning II passes under a water arch at Hill Air Force Base, Utah, Sept. 2. The jet and
Base, Utah, Sept. 2. The jets were piloted by Col. David Lyons, 388th Fighter another F-35A, the first of the Air Force’s newest fifth-generation fighter aircraft to arrive at the base,
Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Yosef Morris, 34th Fighter Squadron director were delivered by Col. David Lyons, 388th Fighter Wing commander, and Lt. Col. Yosef Morris, 34th
of operations. Hill AFB will receive up to 70 additional combat-coded F-35s Fighter Squadron director of operations. The rest of the fleet of up to 72 F-35s will be coming in on
on a staggered basis through 2019. The jets will be flown and maintained a staggered basis through 2019. The 388th and 419th Fighter Wings at Hill AFB were selected as the
by Hill AFB Airmen assigned to the active-duty 388th Fighter Wing and its first Air Force units to fly combat-coded F-35s.
Reserve component 419th Fighter Wing.