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Volume 12, Number 4 1VCMJTIFEJOUIFJOUFSFTUPGUIF/BUJPOBM5SBJOJOH$FOUFSBOE'PSU*SXJODPNNVOJUZtwww.irwin.army.mil April 1, 2016 Train the world’s greatest F-35 and F-16 fighter pilots April 8, 2016
Vol. 16, No. 14
‘Welcome home!’ INSIDE
Putting the KC-46 Pegasus through its paces 9RO1R Serving Southern Arizona’s military community, including Davis-Monthan Air Force Base April 1, 2016
STORIES
CZ#P+PZOFS Vol. 66 No. 13 $1$(527(&+1(:6$1'5(9,(:38%/,&$7,21:::$(527(&+1(:6&20 Cadets soar in AZ, 3
Edwards AFB, Calif. April 1, 2016 From dice to advice, 4
Tuskegee Airmen, 6
As the Air Force gets ready for the arrival of HHL16 provides new capabilities to JTACs Thunder and Lightning Over Arizona draws thousands Warn kids about drugs, 7
its newest aerial refueling and strategic military 5k color run, 13
transport aircraft, a diverse group of airmen is By Airman 1st Class Nathan Byrnes of development,” said Waters. “We are
working hard to make sure the KC-46A Pegasus Courtesy photograph testing an extremely capable device that INDEX
is ready to meet the service’s needs. Lt. Col. 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs has been manufactured in a very short
John Mikal is one of them. Lt. Col. John Mikal, a KC-46A Pegasus test pilot, is part of the team that’s putting the tanker through a series of critical pre-production tests at time frame. What we have seen so far Action line ............................. 2
Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. — with the testing has been extremely Briefs..................................... 3
Mikal, a reservist KC-135 Stratotanker in- Special Operations Command, De- valuable and useful for both JTACs and Spotlight ................................ 4
structor pilot assigned to the 370th Flight Test partment of Defense components and fighter aircraft.’ Diversions ........................... 16
Squadron, is also a KC-46 test pilot and member members from the U.S. Navy, Army, Sports.................................. 19
of the team that’s putting the Pegasus through a Marines and Air Force took part in the “The ability to have a portable radio
series of critical pre-production tests. 10 and KC-46 flight test and aerial refueling program,” Col. Chris Coombs, the KC-46 sys- bility of the next-generation of tankers to the operational assessment of the Hand that can transmit messages onto the U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Nathan Byrnes QUOTE OF THE WEEK Airman 1st Class Shan Ridge
ÀLJKWWHVWIRU$LU)RUFH7HVW&HQWHUSURJUDPV tem program manager at the Air Force Life ZDU¿JKWHUVXSSRUWLQJRXUJOREDOPLVVLRQVIRU Held Link 16 radio produced by ViaSat, Link 16 network is crucial for the future The Red Bull Demonstration Team performs during the Luke Air Force Base 75 Years of Airpower air show.
Boeing developed the KC-46 from its 767 jet Cycle Management Center at Wright-Patterson years to come.” March 21-25, 2016, on the Nevada Test of conducting close air support in the A civilian contractor and a joint terminal attack controller use the Hand Held Link 16, which “Be dependable, competent, ef-
airliner and is scheduled to deliver 179 of the On Jan. 24, the KC-46 successfully completed $)%2KLRVDLGDIWHUWKDWÀLJKW³:HKDYHKDG and Training Range. 21st century. We have always wanted a enables digitally aided close air support integration during the operational assessment of ficient and aggressive. Understand Luke Celebrates 75 Years of Airpower
DLUFUDIWWRWKH$LU)RUFHE\7KH¿UVW LWV¿UVWLQÀLJKWUHIXHOLQJGHPRQVWUDWLRQDVLW plans on paper and data from simulation labs, After the refueling test with the F-16, the KC- standardized, secure method to imple- the HHL16 radio March 24, on the Nevada Test and Training Range. Link 16 was originally how and where you fit into the
combat-ready tankers are scheduled to be deliv- passed 1,600 pounds of fuel to an F-16C Fight- EXWWKLVLQÀLJKWGHPRQVWUDWLRQVKRZVZHDUH $KDGDUREXVWLQÀLJKWUHIXHOLQJGHPRQVWUD- The HHL16 provides a tactical data ment digitally aided CAS and this tool designed for air-to-air missions, but the technology has made the transition to ground forces wing’s mission and why your job is
ered by August 2017. ing Falcon. truly making progress on bringing this capa- tion schedule for the next few weeks. The test link to joint terminal attack controllers will give us that capability.” providing JTACs advantages on the battlefield that they didn’t previously have. important. Finally, be the Airman
ZLWKWKH¿JKWHUMHWIXO¿OOHGWKHUHTXLUHPHQWWR and pilots, and enables digitally aided who finds a way to ‘yes.’”
To meet that timeline, Boeing is working “These are exciting times for the KC-46A Boeing photograph by John D. Parker connect to a light/fast receiver aircraft. The re- close air support integration. The operational assessment of the
closely with the Air Force to put the KC-46 maining tests with the boom were scheduled to HHL16 and the data collected during the Col. Robert Novotny
WKURXJKLWVSDFHV7KHFRPSDQ\¶V¿UVWWHVWDLU- A KC-46 refuels AV-8B Harrier II March 1, 2016. use an A-10 Thunderbolt II as the light/slow re- “The HHL16 radio will give JTACs the assessment will help with the development 48th Fighter Wing commander
craft, a Boeing 767-2C, touched down at Ed- ceiver and a C-17 Globemaster III as the heavy ability to transmit friendly positions and and timely integration of the device.
ZDUGV$LU)RUFH%DVH&DOLIIRUWKH¿UVWWLPH receiver. send messages directly to fighter aircraft
Oct. 15 for several days of fuel onload fatigue via an extremely secure and encrypted “It is crucial that we integrate as early
WHVWLQJ'XULQJWKHVHWHVWVWKH.&ÀHZLQ Mikal said the KC-46 test aircraft will be pathway,” said Capt. Richard Waters, as possible with the organizations and
close formations with a KC-135 and KC-10 Ex- spending a lot of time at Edwards AFB in the 605th Test and Evaluation Squadron, companies that manufacture the battle-
tender to see how the aircraft performed in dif- coming months as it goes through aerial refuel- Hurlburt Field, Florida, tactical air con- field systems we utilize in the military,”
ferent aerial refueling positions. While no fuel LQJFHUWL¿FDWLRQWHVWLQJZLWKDKRVWRI$LU)RUFH trol party air liaison officer, JTAC. “This said Waters. “Early involvement provides
was passed, Boeing engineers were able to test and coalition aircraft. capability significantly reduces fratricide the developers the insight they need to
the stress and strain on the Pegasus. and provides all players in the close air make the systems more practical for the
“There are about 18 different aircraft that support arena the ability to positively warfighter.”
0LNDOÀHZDVWKHDLUFUDIWFRPPDQGHURIWKH need to be tested as they take on fuel from the identify friendly from foe.”
.&GXULQJWKH¿UVWDHULDOUHIXHOLQJPDQHX- KC-46,” he said. “A lot of that testing will take Staff Sgt. Edward Wambolt, 422nd
vers of a KC-46 behind a KC-135 and in close place here at Edwards, and I am ready to help This operational assessment is the first Test and Evaluation Squadron lead joint
formation with both the KC-10 and KC-46 on out with that testing however I can.” of many that the new HHL16 radio will terminal attack controller instructor stat-
2FW7ZRGD\VODWHUKHÀHZDVDSLORWDERDUG undergo during its improvement periods.
the KC-46 during an aerial refueling receiver Edwards AFB continues to be the premier __________ See HHL16, on page 3
onload fatigue test behind a KC-10. He was the EDVH IRU ÀLJKW WHVWLQJ WKH $LU )RUFH¶V QHZHVW “The HHL16 radio is in the early stages
¿UVW$LU)RUFHUHVHUYLVWWRÀ\WKH&WKH capabilities, and the Air Force Reserve’s 370th
commercial test variant of the KC-46. FTS continues to support when needed. AF Hangar acceptance testing checklist paves way for new standards Story by aerial demonstration team and F-16 pilots in the Air Force. munities and allowed Airmen
56th Fighter Wing the first-ever performance and “This was my first air show,” the opportunity to interact with
“It was a tremendous honor to participate in The KC-46A Pegasus is intended to replace Cpl. Eli Marvin – a Soldier with Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment – shakes hands with James Pinnix, a Vietnam War Veteran, here, By Susan Lawson The addition to the 99th Air Base Force Civil Engineer Center at Tyndall depending on the fire protection engi- PUBLIC AFFAIRS appearance by the F-35 Heri- and thank those community
and conduct KC-46 testing with the test team,” WKH $LU )RUFH¶V DJLQJ WDQNHU ÀHHW ZKLFK KDV March 19. Pinnix, of Orange, Calif., was a Navy Hospital Corpsman who served with the United States Marines in Vietnam, 1966-67. AFCEC Public Affairs Wing fuel cell maintenance hangar was AFB, Florida, has been developing neer overseeing the test. There was no tage Team, which featured the said Jowellyn Thomas, Good- members for their unwavering
Mikal said. “The KC-46 will be an amazing been refueling aircraft for more than 50 years. the first Air Force hangar fire suppres- standardized checklist to be followed uniformity even within agencies. LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, F-35 Lightning II flying along- year resident who attended the support.
operational aircraft, and I’m humbled to have With more refueling capacity and enhanced ca- Story and photos by Gustavo Bahena of the NTC headquarters, where Martin, NTC Command Sgt. meet our national security needs,” Martin said. TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — sion system to be tested with new Uni- for all future acceptance tests around Arizona -- Luke opened its side the original Lightning, the air show. “It was breathtaking
the opportunity to be a part of this amazingly SDELOLWLHVLPSURYHGHI¿FLHQF\DQGLQFUHDVHG Maj. Edison Rebuck, and their families waved and greeted the The guest speaker, Joseph Galloway, was introduced by Col. Fire protection engineers convened fied Facilities Criteria, which requires the world. “In order to provide a more reliable doors to a record 425,000 people P-38. and I’m really looking forward “The partnerships we have
talented test team.” Public Affairs Office Veterans riding atop military trucks, motorcycles and classic recently for the final acceptance test of fire suppression system activation by fire suppression system and reduce or during its “75 Years of Air- to the next one!” and the friendships we share
See TANKER, Page 2 cars. The route was also lined with hundreds of Soldiers and Scott Taylor, commander of Fort Irwin United States Army an aircraft hangar foam fire suppres- triple infrared detection technology. The standardized project acceptance eliminate false activations, we need both power” air show April 2 and 3. When they weren’t flying, the are absolutely vital to what we
Mikal isn’t the only Air Force reservist from The National Training Center and Fort Irwin honored Vet- family members, who cheered the procession. Garrison. Galloway is a retired journalist and co-author of “We sion system at Nellis Air Force Base, checklist effort began after it was dis- oversight and consistency,” Biddle said. The show provided a glimpse F-35 Heritage Team members Putting together an air show do at Luke AFB” said Brig. Gen.
WKHWK)/76TXDOL¿HGWRWDNHSDUWLQWKH.& erans of the Vietnam War era during an event here, March 19. Were Soldiers Once … and Young.” Nevada. Judy Biddle, hangar fire suppression covered that the hangar fire suppres- into the history of the Air Force were busy handing out and with more than 40 static dis- Scott Pleus 56th Fighter Wing
46 testing. The 370th has two KC-46 initial cad- The Veterans continued to receive applause and recognition subject matter specialist at the Air sion acceptance testing process differed ______ See CHECKLIST, on page 3 with jets such as the World War signing photos for thousands of plays and 11 aerial acts takes commander. “All year long we
re boom operators — Master Sgts. Aaron Ray On a clear, warm day, just before the start of spring, the com- as they entered the tent for a ceremony and lunch. Taylor explained Galloway served four tours as a war corre- II A-26 Invader and a glimpse visitors to the base. a team effort. get unending support from our
and Scott Scurlock — who will be taking part in manding general of this Army combat training center – Maj. spondent in Vietnam. He was recognized in 1998 with a Bronze Scan with Find us online at WANTED: Motivated volunteer to lead the Nellis Retiree Affairs into the Air Force’s future with elected leaders, businesses and
Pegasus refueling testing in the coming months. Gen. Joseph Martin – proclaimed, “Welcome Home!” to the Martin expressed that Soldiers and the community was hon- Medal with “V” device for rescuing wounded Soldiers under your Luke’s own F-35 Lightning II. Another highlight of the “From successfully screening those who live throughout the
Veterans during a ceremony celebrating their military service. ored and humbled to host the Veterans “from three generations fire in Ia Drang Valley with the 7th Cavalry in November 1965. smartphone Nellis AFB & Office. Would you be interested in a dynamic position that helps Las show was the close air sup- our guests to supporting the Valley — and once every two
The 370th FLTS is an embedded Air Force ago for their service to our nation.” Nellis Bullseye Vegas area Retirees? Do you enjoy teamwork and making a differ- “Simply stated, the air show port demonstration, during best air acts from around the years we get the opportunity to
Reserve unit with a mission of providing KC- Approximately 500 Veterans and their guests sat inside a “He is the only civilian to be awarded a medal for valor by To connect ence? Please contact the 99th ABW Commander Action Group at was a tremendous success,” said which the F-16 Fighting Falcons world, my hat goes off to each give something back in the form
135 aerial refueling test support to both opera- cavernous tent with Soldiers and leadership during the late “Some of you made a long journey to come here … but all the U.S. Army for actions in combat,” Taylor said. to our website 702-652-9900 or email 99ABW.CAG@us.af.mil by April 15. Lt. Col. Christopher Bacon, air showed off their combat capabil- and every member of my air of an air show. It is our way of
WLRQDO DQG WHVWFRQ¿JXUHG UHFHLYHU DLUFUDIW DW morning ceremony. They had received a hero’s welcome from of you have come here from a long life’s journey in a time and show director. ities. This “live” demonstration show team and the countless saying ‘thanks’ for allowing us
Edwards AFB’s 412th Test Wing. The Reserve the start of the day, which began with a motorcycle escort to circumstance of faith that brought you in the prime of your life Galloway thanked the former servicemembers in the audi- featured pyrotechnic explosions volunteers who made it hap- to be a part of this great com-
unit also leads management and execution of “Painted Rocks,” just outside the installation gate. They took to spend a tour of duty, or more, in Vietnam, to serve the United ence and stated, “Welcome home brothers and sister Veterans.” The show was headlined by to simulate bombs was a crowd pen,” Bacon said. munity.”
the business effort mission at Edwards AFB, a group photo there and then participated in a parade in front States in Germany, Korea or elsewhere around the world – to the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds favorite and highlighted the fact
which utilizes operational Air Mobility Com- See WELCOME HOME, page 12 Luke AFB trains 97 percent of The turnout highlighted the
mand KC-135 and KC-10 tankers to support tremendous support for Luke
URXWLQHUHIXHOLQJRIQRQWHVWFRQ¿JXUHGWK AFB from the surrounding com-
TW receiver aircraft.

Since some 370th FLTS pilots are test pilots
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boom operators, they augment the KC-135, KC-

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*TTVF Serving the aerospace industry since 1986 Use your smartphone to connect to (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Chris Massey) Go to luke.af.mil for Luke Facebook link Use your smartphone to
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Two A-10C Thunderbolt IIs fly in tandem during a demonstration at the Thunder and Lightning over Arizona Open House at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., March 12, 2016. The Desert Lightning
Team demonstration included A-10 Thunderbolt IIs, HH-60G Pave Hawks and an HC-130J Combat King.

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