Page 1 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt 11-13-15
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7UDLQWKHZRUOG·VJUHDWHVW)DQG)ÀJKWHUSLORWV Nov. 13, 2015
Vol. 15, No. 43
INSIDE
STORIES
ALS grads, 4
CFC update, 5
944th hosts bosses, 7
Phoenix Suns come to
Luke, 12
LRS Wingman Day, 18
FEATURE
Staff Sgt. Staci Miller
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junction with the Royal Norwegian air force’s birthday.
Airman 1st Class Ridge Shan Norway’s first F-35 sortie, jets arrive on air force’s birthday
ITALIANS FLY FIRST F-35 SORTIE by Senior Airman partner aircraft into the squadron, we are same and some new partners, will allow
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WUDLQLQJ WKH EHVW ) SLORWV IURP DURXQG to easily integrate and operate together as
COUNTING JETS 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs the world.” one force. This is because we train together,
we know each other and we keep it very
F-35s....................................28 U.S. 7KHÀUVWWZR1RUZHJLDQ)/LJKWQLQJ The day was a result of the combined similar.”
F-35s ..........................2 Australian II jets arrived Tuesday at Luke Air Force HIIRUWV RI WKH 86 DQG LWV 1RUZHJLDQ
F-35s ........................ 2 Norwegian %DVH 6KRUWO\ DIWHU D 1RUZHJLDQ SLORW partners. Eight other nations will be training along-
F-16s..............................79 at Luke ÁHZWKH)IRUWKHÀUVWWLPH7XHVGD\LQ side the U.S. on the new airframe. Other
F-16s ........... 56 at Holloman AFB FRQMXQFWLRQZLWKWKH5R\DO1RUZHJLDQDLU “Over the past few months we have been partner nations that will be joining the U.S.,
force’s birthday. ZRUNLQJFORVHO\ZLWKRXU1RUZHJLDQSDUW- 1RUZD\DQG$XVWUDOLDLQWKH)WUDLQLQJ
QUOTE OF THE WEEK ners to ensure that we are ready to receive program here will be Turkey, Italy and the
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“For any team to achieve sus- ward integrating partner nations with the aircraft the world has ever seen,” Frana Sales countries Japan, Korea and Israel.
tained, ever-increasing success it DUULYDORIWKHÀUVW$XVWUDOLDQ)'HF said. “Today is the result of a monumental
needs to do more than just work 2014, at Luke. Almost a year later the next team effort, but the effort will not stop here. ´:KHQWKH)GHSOR\VLQWKHIXWXUHLW
well together. It needs a process big international step for the program came The effort will continue as the U.S. and our ZLOOEHDORQJVLGHRXU1RUZHJLDQSDUWQHUVµ
to refresh and grow leaders from ZKHQWZR,WDOLDQSLORWVFRPSOHWHGWKHLUÀUVW SDUWQHUV EULQJ WKH ) WR LQLWLDO RSHUD- said Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, 56th FW com-
within.” ÁLJKWLQDQ)1RYKHUH tional capability and utilize this amazing mander. “The relationships built here in
machine to strengthen alliances and defend the West Valley will be critical to both
Lt. Col. Scott Linck This marks the second international our national interests.” our nations as we move forward. Building
71st Student SDUWQHU WR KDYH )V DUULYH IRU WUDLQLQJ partnership activities is priceless as the Air
at Luke. 6LPLODUWRWKHSDUWQHUVKLS1RUZD\KDG Force reinforces long-established bonds and
Squadron commander with the U.S. and other partner nations cultivates new friendships through training
“Today is a great day for the 62nd Fighter ZLWK WKH ) WKH ) SDUWQHUVKLS ZLOO opportunities, exercises and military-to-
WEATHER Squadron, the 56th Fighter Wing, and the make for an unstoppable force. military events.”
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Today Col. Gregory Frana, 62nd FS commander. “When it comes to the partnership, we /XNH FXUUHQWO\ KDV )V DQG E\
´6LQFH WKH QG )6 VWRRG XS DV DQ ) see a very good transfer from our experi- /XNHLVVFKHGXOHGWRKDYHVL[ÀJKWHU
77°/50° squadron back in June of 2015, we have HQFHZLWKWKH)WRWKH)µVDLG5R\DO VTXDGURQVDQG)V1RUZD\ZLOOKDYH
been focused on training the world’s best 1RUZHJLDQDLUIRUFH0DM0RUWHQ+DQFKH VHYHQ)VVWDWLRQHGDW/XNH
Sunny ) SLORWV 7RGD\ DV ZH DFFHSW RXU ÀUVW 62nd FS training pilot. “Working with the
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connect to our website!
