Page 1 - Luke AFB edition Aerotech 5-22-15

Aerotech News serving Luke AFB, Ariz.

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CZ4S"(SBDF-FF place to help ensure a smooth transi-
Luke AFB, Ariz.
tion from the AF/A-18 to the F-35A.
Royal Australian Air Force Squad- ,W¶VYHU\H[FLWLQJWR¿QDOO\EHDW/XNH
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F-35 Senior National Representative JHWWRÀ\DQ5$$))$:KLOVW,¶P
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¿UVW5$$))$/LJKWQLQJ,,VRUWLH told that all the F-35s are the same, it’s
at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. DZHVRPHWR¿QDOO\JRÀ\LQJLQDMHW

While the completion of the sortie that has ‘Skippy’ painted on the side.”
represents a milestone for the RAAF,
IRU-DFNVRQLW¶VDOVRDERXWEXLOGLQJ With the sortie completed, RAAF
his experience and competence in the SHUVRQQHOFDQIRUJHDKHDGDQGDG-
F-35 over the short term.
vance in their mission at Luke.
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the RAAF as a valuable partner in
the F-35 enterprise,” Jackson said. partner operations here at Luke, as
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way to the work that’s already taken the next phase of operations,” said

Squadron Leader Nathan Draper, 61st

Aircraft Maintenance Unit participant
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Air Force photograph by SrA. Devante Williams

Royal Australian Air Force Sqdn. Ldr. Andrew Jackson, 61st Fighter Squadron RAAF squadron leader, takes off in a
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our instructor pilots will also contrib- and supportability features. We will LW\DQGJHQHURVLW\DIIRUGHGWRXVE\
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ute to this team in one of our aircraft.” OLQHFRQ¿JXUDWLRQDQGPRYHWRZDUG both the base and local community
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has made this move easy,” Jackson
QRWRQO\KHOSLQJWUDLQIXWXUH)SL- the partners and services.” VDLG³&RPELQHWKDWZLWKWKHDPD]LQJ
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LW EXW XQGHUVWDQGLQJ ZKDW JRHV LQWR With the anticipated sortie accom- weather, airspace and proud history
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³7KHIXWXUHLVSURPLVLQJZLWKWKH ³:H¶UHORRNLQJIRUZDUGWRWUDLQLQJ have an unbeatable combination—

F-35,” Draper said. “With each new at Luke for a number of reasons—it’s There’s nowhere that myself and the
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other Australian pilots would rather be
systems comes enhanced capability family, but the phenomenal hospital- WUDLQLQJRQWKH)$WKDQ/XNH$LU

Force Base.”

Royal
Australian Air
Force Sqdn.
Ldr. Andrew
Jackson,
61st Fighter
Squadron
RAAF squadron
leader, taxis out
to the runway at
Luke Air Force
Base, Ariz.,
May 14, 2015.
Jackson is the
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RAAF F-35 at
Luke.

Air Force photograph by SrA. James Hensley Air Force photograph by SrA. James Hensley

Royal Australian Air Force Sqdn. Ldr. Andrew Jackson, 61st Fighter Squadron
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