Page 6 - Luke AFB edition Aerotech 5-22-15
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First female F-35 pilot begins training
CZTU-U)PQF$SPOJO ess in the cockpit were the primary draws for her
Eglin AFB, Fla. selection to her position with the 33rd OG.
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said Col. Todd Canterbury, the 33rd FW com-
Base, Fla., May 5.
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Operations Group deputy commander, completed
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missions in the full mission simulator at the F-35 and ready force of F-35 pilots to feed into our
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³,WZDVQ¶WXQWLO,ZDVWD[LLQJWRWKHUXQZD\ Canterbury witnessed Mau’s leadership and
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(DJOHSLORW³,KDGDFKDVHDLUFUDIWEXWWKHUHZDV she was part of another important milestone for
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simulators.”
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trained over the last four years, Mau thundered combat sortie. The combat mission provided air
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GUHDPDQGVHHLQJWKHV\VWHPVLQWHUDFWLVLPSUHV- Lt. Col. Christine Mau, the 33rd Operations Group deputy commander, puts on her helmet before the mission planners and maintainers, the entire
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6\VWHPWDNHVVRPHDGMXVWLQJEXWLW¶VDQHDV\ WDNLQJKHU¿UVWÀLJKWLQWKH)$/LJKWQLQJ,,DW(JOLQ$LU)RUFH%DVH)OD0D\0DXZKR mission was carried out entirely by women.
DGMXVWPHQW´0DXVDLG³7KHWUDLQLQJPLVVLRQV SUHYLRXVO\ÀHZ)(6WULNH(DJOHVPDGHKLVWRU\DVWKH¿UVWIHPDOH)SLORWLQWKHSURJUDP “As a service, we need to attract the most in-
in the simulator prepare you very well, so you’re Women have served in combat aviation roles ³)O\LQJLVDJUHDWHTXDOL]HU´0DXVDLG³7KH novative and skillful Airmen possible for one
UHDG\IRUWKDWÀLJKW´ LQWKRVHDQGRWKHUDLUFUDIWIRUPRUHWKDQ\HDUV SODQHGRHVQ¶WNQRZRUFDUHDERXW\RXUJHQGHU reason — it makes us more effective,” Canter-
bury said. “The broader the net that we cast into
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6WULNH(DJOH)&(DJOH))DOFRQ$ her and her fellow F-35 pilots is the size of her tionally well.” is key, and it’s the standard we hold all of our
:DUWKRJRU)5DSWRU G-suit and facemask — they are both extra small. Mau’s combat experience and technical prow- Airmen to in the Air Force.”
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winder missiles this year as part of the LQJWKDWUHVXOWVLQHQKDQFHGDFTXLVL- pability to launch this missile from any cannot be matched by any known or
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counter-countermeasures capability, Guarente. “The aircraft will be able to YHFWRULQJDQGKLJKWKUXVWWRZHLJKWUD- ORQJHUUDQJHPRUHPDQHXYHUDEOHPLV-
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FLTS assistant director of operations The F-22 CTF has helped develop
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and F-22 test pilot. The missile suc- EDVLFVRIWZDUHIRULQWHJUDWLRQRIWKH
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cessfully shot down a BQM-34 drone.
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Both shots were taken over the nearby
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to reality.
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the aircraft, then it’s time to make sure
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Aerotech News and Review May 22, 2015
