Luke AFB Thunderbolt December 2023
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“We train the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat ready Airmen”
INSIDE
IP War Day advances joint forces training
By Airman 1st Class MASon HARgRove
56th Fighter Wing
In a total force effort, the 56th Fighter Wing conducted Instructor Pilot War Day in conjunction with a larger joint-force exer- cise hosted by the 944th Fighter Wing, Ex- ercise Desert Hammer, Nov. 3-4, 2023, over the Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona.
Exercise Desert Hammer combined with IP War Day, involved more than 300 combat support Airmen and 96 aircraft, this joint- force exercise is a routine event with U.S. Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Navy.
“The purpose of IP War Day is to guar- antee that our operators preserve an elite standard of tactical skill and that our in- structor pilots can translate insights from the large-scale exercise into regular train- ing for their students,” said U.S Air Force Col. Matthew Johnston, 56th Operations Group commander. “This exercise solidifies the tactical readiness of our Airmen and affirms their expertise, reinforcing our com- mitment to training the world’s greatest fighter pilots and combat-ready Airmen.”
The exercises aimed to replicate intense aerial combat scenarios, featuring an array of aircraft including F-35A Lightning II’s from the 61st Fighter Squadron, F-16 Fight-
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elias Carrero
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Wel- ton, 414th Maintenance Squadron crew chief, observes an F-15E Strike Eagle as it is prepared for takeoff, Nov. 3, 2023,
at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona. The 4th Fighter Wing is one of seven military units that participated in Luke AFB’s Instructor Pilot War Day in concert with the 944th Fighter Wing’s Exercise Desert Hammer.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Mason Hargrove
A U.S. Air Force KC-46 Pegasus assigned to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base refu- els an F-16 Fighting Falcon from the 309th Fighter Squadron, Nov. 3, 2023, over the Barry M. Goldwater Range, Arizona. Instructor Pilot War Day in concert with Exer- cise Desert Hammer aimed to replicate intense aerial combat scenarios, featuring an array of aircraft from multiple branches and bases.
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Vet clinic opens, 3
Native American Month, 5
Chaplain’s Thoughts, 11 FEAtUrE
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elias Carrero
ThunderbolT cup compeTiTion
See Pages 8 and 9
ing Falcons from 309th Fighter Squadron, F-35B Lightning II’s from USMC Air Sta- tion Miramar, a KC-46 Pegasus, and F-15 Eagles from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
“IP War Day is a testament to our com- mitment of advancing training and readi- ness,” said Reserve Citizen Airmen Lt. Col.
William Wisehart, 944th Operations Group deputy commander. “This exercise not only reinforces our operational capabilities but also strengthens our community ties, align- ing with our mission to train combat ready Airmen and foster enduring partnerships.”
The exercise’s primary intent was to maintain and enhance tactical proficiency, particularly focusing on air-to-air defen- sive maneuvers in a variety of combat sce- narios and contested areas. It aimed to bol- ster coordination and readiness among the various units, ensur- ing that aircrews are adept and prepared for the agile deploy- ment of airpower in
future operations.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jakob Hambright
An A-10 Thunderbolt II as- signed to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base participates in exercise Desert Hammer, Nov. 3, 2023, at Gila Bend Auxiliary Airfield, Arizona.
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U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jakob Hambright
SH-60 Sea Hawk aircraft assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squad- ron 6 conduct landing and refuel- ing operations, Nov. 3, 2023, at Gila Bend Auxiliary Airfield, Ari- zona. The SH-60’s participated in a total force effort where the 56th Fighter Wing conducted Instruc- tor Pilot War Day in conjunction with a larger joint-force exercise hosted by the 944th Fighter Wing, Exercise Desert Hammer.
U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Elias Carrero
U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Jacob Welton, 414th Maintenance Squadron crew chief, signals an F-15E Strike Eagle as it prepares for takeoff, Nov. 3, 2023, at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona.
Dec. 2023 Vol. 22, No. 12
