Page 1 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, May 2021
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“We train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen” May 2021
Vol. 20, No. 5
INSIDE First Danish F-35s land at Luke AFB
by Airman 1st Class
DominiC TYLeR
StorIES
56th Fighter Squadron
Rep. Debbie Lesko visits 944th FW Royal Danish air force pilots
Airmen, 2 delivered the first two RDAF
Future Airmen reporting for duty, 3 F-35A Lightning II fighter jets
Chaplain’s thoughts, 4 to Luke Air Force Base April 13
FSS Airman receives Graydon Wil- in preparation for pilot training.
liams award, 5 The aircraft, assigned to the
America’s ‘Airpower Reservoir’ 308th Fighter Squadron, will
eventually be joined by five
celebrates 75 years, 6 other Danish F-35s for use in
Women of Weapons Exhibition Load the F-35 training program.
highlights female maintainers, 8/9 According to the U.S. State
Becoming brand ambassadors, 10 Department, as stalwart NATO Photos by Airman 1st Class Dominic Tyler
F-15EX Eagle II unveiled as newest allies, the United States and A Royal Danish air force F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 308th Fighter Squadron lands, April
fighter, 12 Denmark cooperate extensively 13, at Luke Air Force Base. The first two of seven RDAF F-35s arrived at Luke AFB, as Danish
to promote peace and stability pilots prepare to begin the F-35 training program.
internationally.
“Today is a historical day for
the partnership of the U.S. and the importance of building lands, Norway and Singapore. we rely on each other to get the
Denmark,” said Lt. Col. Matt relationships between allied “It’s truly remarkable to come mission done.”
“HAIL” Cisar, 308th FS com- countries. into a fighter squadron in which The F-35 training program
mander. “We’ve been preparing “We have to be able to operate a U.S. pilot might fly a Danish is designed to integrate pilots,
for the first Danish jets for together with different nations jet alongside a Dutch pilot fly- foreign and domestic, into a
Continue to get Luke’s latest years. Now that they’re here, in the fifth generation air force,” ing a U.S. jet,” said Cisar. “It common set of tactics and ad-
news and information from we’re excited to train our first said KIN. “When we have to go shows all the work that’s gone vanced technologies enabling
these sources: https://www. Danish fighter pilots.” in to fight war together, we find into the F-35 program, the them to execute the mission as
aerotechnews.com/lukeafb/ Pilots from all around the comfort knowing we’ve gone partnerships and how much one unit.
https://www.luke.af.mil world participate in the F-35 through training from the same
and social media training program. Royal Dan- place.”
ish air force Lt. Col. Nick “KIN” Luke is currently training
Hansen, 308th FS senior na- fighter pilots from many coun-
Luke56thFW @LukeAFB
tional representative, mentions tries such as Italy, Nether-
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 Two Royal Danish air force F-35A Lightning II fighter jets as-
Active-duty, Reserve, Retirees signed to the 308th Fighter Squadron soar, April 13, over Luke
All military branches are included The Danish flag is represented on the tail of a Royal Danish air Air Force Base. These are the first two of seven RDAF F-35s to
Email name, phone number and a force F-35A Lightning II as the aircraft, assigned to the 308th arrive at Luke AFB, as Danish pilots prepare to begin the F-35
brief description of your service to Fighter Squadron, taxis on a runway April 13 at Luke Air Force training program. Luke AFB trains fighter pilots from around
amy@aerotechnews.com Base. Luke is training fighter pilots from Denmark as well as oth- the world, building stronger partnerships with trusted allies to
er countries such as Italy, Netherlands, Norway and Singapore. fight as one coalition.
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