Page 6 - Luke AFB Thunderbolt, March 2021

6 March 2021 News http://www.luke.af.mil
Thunderbolt
www.aerotechnews.com/lukeafb
F-15EX completes first flight

by Senior master Sgt. preparing for F-15EX; while this will be
JeNNiFeR ShiRAR a challenging time, we know that we’ve
got a fantastic community supporting
173rd Fighter Wing
us and an outstanding team here at the
kiNGSLeY FieLD, ore. — The first 173rd Fighter Wing.”
F-15EX completed its initial flight in St.
Louis Feb. 2. The fighter jet took off and
landed from St. Louis Lambert Interna-
tional Airport, Missouri.
It was announced in August 2020 that
the 173rd Fighter Wing will begin tran-
sitioning as the F-15EX formal training
unit in 2024.
“Being selected as the F-15EX formal
training unit is an outstanding mission
for the 173rd Fighter Wing,” said Col.
Jeff Edwards, 173rd FW commander.
“Kingsley (Field Air National Guard
Base) is simply an outstanding place
to train pilots. The community support
is just incredible, and we have some of
the best training airspace anywhere. We
have a culture of fighter training — we
have been in the training business for
over three decades, in the F-4 (Phantom),
F-16 (Fighting Falcon), F-15C (Eagle),
and now soon to be F-15EX.”
The latest iteration of the F-15 Eagle
Mission Design Series, the F-15EX
features an increased payload capacity,
fly-by-wire controls, a digital cockpit,
modernized sensors, radars and elec-
tronic warfare capabilities.
Edwards notes the long service life
of the F-15EX airframe — 20,000 flight
hours. “That’s a long time, about double Photos Courtesy of Boeing/Eric Shindelbower
the service the life of an F-15C,” Edwards The first U.S. Air Force F-15EX fighter aircraft
said. “Not only is the airframe designed took its maiden flight Feb. 2, in St. Louis. The
to last for a long time, the F-15EX also 173rd Fighter Wing is scheduled to become
has an ‘open mission system’ which al- the F-15EX Fighter Training Unit in 2024.
lows the computer and avionics software
to be more adaptable and more easily
updated in the future. This adaptability
is key, as we know that technology is That team is led by Lt. Col. Nick Huet, F-22 Raptor and F-15C instructor pilot. in the same cadet squadron at the Air
continuing to accelerate.” 173rd FW F-15EX conversion officer. “Ul- “I work with designated representa- Force academy,” Edwards said. “It’s awe-
When asked about what it was like timately, it’s very rewarding to have the tives from all groups within the wing some to see him flying the F-15EX and
watching the first F-15EX flight, Ed- opportunity to work on behalf of our wing and together we navigate the conversion being on the leading edge of the future
wards says he was very impressed. “Of to help secure a long-lasting mission for process,” Huet said. “As the first base to of the Eagle.”
course, I’m a big fan of the Eagle, so it’s Kingsley (Field ANGB) and all the folks receive the F-15EX, our conversion will Two F-15EX fighters should be deliv-
not difficult for me to get excited about that call this base home,” Huet said. set the standard for all bases to follow — ered to Eglin Air Force Base, Florida by
seeing the first F-15EX flight! Seeing “Lt. Col. Huet is an outstanding plan- my game plan is for Kingsley to establish the end of the first quarter of 2021. Eight
the F-15EX fly for the first time really ner, strategic thinker, and instructor a bed down model that no other wing will pre-production aircraft were ordered in
left me thinking: ‘Wow! We are going to pilot,” Edwards said. “As we transition be able to match!” July 2020, to allow the military and the
be flying that jet soon at Kingsley (Field to the F-15EX, it was important to select During the first F-15EX flight, the manufacturer to test and fully define
ANGB), and it’s going to be awesome!’” an officer who had a vision for where we aircraft was piloted by Matt Giese, Boe- their applications. The Air Force plans to
Edwards adds that there is a lot to needed to go to be ready for F-15EX — Lt. ing F-15 chief test pilot, who checked the eventually acquire at least 144 F-15EX
do as the unit prepares to accept the F- Col. Huet has that vision.” avionics, advanced systems and software. fighters.
15EX aircraft in 2024. “We will be in a Prior to this position, Huet has held Proving again that the “eagle drivers’’ “The F-15EX will secure the future of
transition period over the next several many roles including director of operations, come from a small community, Edwards Kingsley (Field ANGB) for many more
years as we train F-15C pilots while also U.S. Air Force Weapons School graduate, and Giese go way back. “Matt and I were years,” Edwards added.

PrEVAiLED (from Page 3) Non-Commissioned officer of the Year: Tech. Sgt. Field Grade officer of the Year: Maj. Alexander
John Howe, 944th Maintenance Squadron Esson, 944th Operations Group, Detachment 2
were presented bronze eagle awards by their leadership. Senior NCo of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. James Junior Civilian of the Year: Mr. Dale Haretuku, 924th
Despite the restrictions on large gatherings and hav- Pumarejo, 924th Maintenance Squadron Maintenance Squadron
ing to adjust time-honored traditions to mitigate the First Sergeant of the Year: Senior Master Sgt. Senior Civilian of the Year: Ms. Nicole Martens,
spread of illness, the members of the 944th FW came Michael Kuehler, 944th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron 414th Fighter Group
through with resilience. Virtual cheers and celebration instructor Weapon Systems officer of the Year: Lt. At the end of the ceremony the 944th FW Command
of the 944th FW team spanned the continental United Col. Eric Ostendorf, 307th Fighter Squadron Chief expressed her excitement for this coming year.
States as the wing’s top performers were recognized. instructor Pilot of the Year: Maj. Joshua Jones, 944th “This was a great group of candidates and a phenomenal
The winners are: Operations Group, Detachment 2 selection of winners,” said Chief Master Sgt. Catherine
Airman of the Year: Staff Sgt. Kristy Riley, 924th Company Grade officer of the Year: Capt. Danielle Buchanan, 944 FW command chief. “If we had this level of
Fighter Group Clark, 944th Aeromedical Staging Squadron excellence in 2020, I can’t imagine what 2021 has in store.”