Page 1 - Edwards AFB Desert Wings 2-12-16

Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base, California

Volume 63, Number 31 www.edwards.af.mil – www.facebook.com/edwardsairforcebase February 12, 2016

31st TES departs for Idaho for F-35 testing

by Kenji Thuloweit
Editor

A much anticipated and impor- Air Force photograph by Tech. Sgt. Samuel Morse
tant test mission for the F-35 Joint
Strike Fighter Program is under- Two F-35A Lightning IIs taxi after landing at Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, Feb. 8. The F-35s, visiting from Edwards AFB will be part of an
way with the “deployment” of six initial operating capability test at the nearby range complex.
operational test and evaluation
F-35s and more than 85 Airmen
from the 31st Test and Evaluation
Squadron, which took place Feb.
8 and 9.

This is the first simulated de-
ployment test of the F-35A, spe-
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tial operational capability mission
sets: suppression of enemy air de-
fenses, close air support and air
interdiction.

The 31st TES will execute each
of these in a limited scope from
a “deployed” location for this
test. The “deployed” location is
Mountain Home Air Force Base,
Idaho. The 31st TES at Edwards
AFB falls under the 53rd Wing at
Eglin AFB, Fla., which is leading
the test design, management and
execution of the F-35A deploy-
ment test.

The achievements of an F-35A
squadron testing ability to deploy,
employ and sustain operations will

See TES, Page 3

Air Force Assistance Fund campaign in full swing

The 412th Test Wing leadership got together Air Force photographs by Rebecca Amber
to sign their Air Force Assistance Fund donation
slips at the headquarters building Feb. 5. Above: Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer (left), 412th
Test Wing commander; Col. David Radomski
This year’s AFAF campaign on Edwards began (center), 412th TW vice commander; and
Feb. 1 and runs through March 11. Chief Master Sgt. David Smith (right),
412th TW command chief, sign their AFAF
The AFAF is a charitable fund by Airmen for donation slips Feb. 5. Right: Left to right: Air
Airmen. All monies raised during the campaign Force Assistance Fund installation points-of-
go to supporting the Air Force’s four charities: contact Master Sgt. Robert Sims and Capt.
The Air Force Aid Society, which takes care of Josh Coughenour pose for a photo with Brig.
Airmen and their families with emergency assis- Gen. Carl Schaefer, Col. David Radomski
tance, educational loans, spouse tuition and base and Chief Master Sgt. David Smith, 412th
enhancement projects; the Air Force Village and TW command chief, after they signed their
Air Force Enlisted Village provide retirees’ wid- AFAF donation slips Feb. 5.
ows and widowers with a home and caring com-
munity among fellow Air Force family members;
while the Lemay Foundation seeks out and pro-
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grants.

Team Edwards members interested in donating
to the AFAF should contact their unit representa-
tive and to be on the look out for posters in their
squadron and unit areas.

Edwards’ goal this year is $42,000. The Air
Force-wide goal is $6.78 million.

For any questions regarding the Edwards’
AFAF campaign contact Capt. Joshua Coughe-
nour at 661-275-7750, or Master Sgt. Robert Sims
at 661-277-1587.