Page 1 - Aerotech News and Review July 1 2016

10 Questions on the F-35A Lightning II
by TSgt. Steve Stanley trained and equipped airman for ba-
JB Langley-Eustis, Va. sic close air support, interdiction and
limited SEAD/DEAD in a contested

The F-35A is on track to be de- environment and operating from a de-

clared initially operationally capable ployed location. To support those op-

between August and December 2016. erations we need the proper logistics

IOC is the first step Air Combat and operational elements in place, in-

Command will take in bringing the cluding having the proper personnel,

F-35 online as the latest fifth gen- equipment and appropriate technical

eration multirole fighter. In IOC con- manuals.

figuration, the aircraft will be able to

penetrate areas with developed air Q: Do you think you will reach

defenses, provide close air support to IOC with just 12 F-35 aircraft?

ground troops and be readily deploy- A: The forecast is that we will have

able to conflict theaters. more than 12 aircraft. There are cur-

Col. David Chace is the F-35 sys- rently 12 aircraft available at Hill Air

tems management office chief and Force Base, Utah. Some of those are

lead for F-35 operational require- going through the last few modifica-
ments at Air Combat Command. tions required to support IOC. We will
He leads a multi-discipline team of have additional aircraft in the modi-
maintenance professionals, program fication process beginning in August.
managers, operators and engineers not Depending on the actual IOC date,
only with the responsibility for F-35 modifications may be complete on
requirements, but also weapons sys- the additional F-35s.
tems fielding.

Below is a recent Q&A with Chace Q: Who decides when the F-35 is
that outlines where ACC is in the IOC IOC?
process.
A: The commander of Air Combat

Command will make the IOC deci-
Q: What is the process for be- sion in direct consultation with the
coming IOC?
A: There are a number of criteria Chief of Staff of the Air Force. It is U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman R. Alex Durbin
a capabilities-based decision, with
that must be met in terms of capa- input received from units assigned to A U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II demonstration aircraft takes off during the AirPower over Hampton Roads Open
bilities and performance to become operational testing and evaluation at House at Langley Air Force Base, Va., April 24. The aircraft performed alongside an F-22 Raptor and a P-51 Mustang
IOC. The requirements, established as part of the Heritage Flight Program, which showcases the evolution of air power by flying today’s state-of-the-art
in 2013, include 12-24 aircraft with See F-35, Page 3 fighter aircraft in close formation with vintage fighter aircraft.

Military academy appointees attend send-off event
With humor and humility, Cadet 1st Class
by Linda KC Reynolds Joshua Kay, a senior at the U.S. Military Acad- Photograph by Linda KC Reynolds
staff writer emy at West Point and Cadet 3rd Class Nicholas
Cody Chew, who is attending the U.S. Air Force Congressman Steve Knight speaks to parents and students at a send-off event where 16 students
Sixteen students will soon be embarking on a Academy, gave advice to the students. will be going to some of the top colleges in the country. Out of 40 applications, Knight’s Academy
new journey — a military education at some of Selections Committee selected four students to attend military academies. Knight said he prays
the most prestigious colleges in the country. Of When Kay was about four years old, his father daily for his family, the country and the military — that every day is Memorial and Veteran’s Day.
those students four were nominated by Congress- took him to a version of an Army air show where
man Steve Knight. he saw troops propelling from a Black hawk with
their backpacks and weapons. “Something about
“I asked my committee to choose the best of that put a spark inside of me,” said Kay who grad-
the best and here they are,” said Knight at a uated from Desert Christian High School and will
send-off event ceremony in the Performing Arts graduate West Point as a second lieutenant. He
Theater at the Antelope Valley College on Father’s will be serving in the infantry— propelling from
Day weekend. Black hawks.

Nicholas Drinhaus of Palmdale was chosen for Sharing some advice he wished someone would
the U.S. Air Force Academy. Both Connor Lewis have told him, Kay advised students to learn to
of Valencia and Delaney Marbach of Stevenson become followers, to enjoy themselves, to remem-
Ranch were selected for the U.S. Military Acad- ber that they are not in completion — teamwork is
emy at West Point, N.Y., and Ian Caddow of Sau- essential, and to always remember the importance
gus was chosen as the nominee to both the U.S. of safety.
Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Naval
Academy. “If you receive an appointment today, you are
already a leader,” explained Kay. However, in
Speakers included Palmdale Mayor Jim Led- these colleges, only the best are chosen and the
ford, Ellie Kay, author of “Heroes at Home,” Ed best in high school are only average in basic train-
Knudson, Isaac Barcelona, Gregory Waugh and ing. “In the academy during your first year, there
Knight Military Academy Committee Chairman
John Fergione. See ACADEMY, Page 3

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