Skip to main content

Australian F35 Rollout Ceremony and Group Photos

FCP returned recently from a fantastic trip to Fort Worth to witness the unveiling of Australia’s first F-35. We were invited by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) whose first two F-35s coming off the Lockheed Martin production line will be delivered to Luke AFB. This is just another example of the multiple benefits that exist due to Luke AFB. RAAF will be training their initial F-35 pilots at Luke AFB which includes 15 RAAF families who will be joining the Luke AFB community. Additionally, each foreign F-35 brings 9 Lockheed Martin employees as well who will be active and around Luke AFB for a period of time.

Health & Human Services, Culture & Traditional and Mission Sustainability all come into play with respect to our foreign relationships as well as to our Luke families. Enhancing the quality of life at Luke AFB stretches beyond just our Australian friends, but also to the Singaporean and Taiwanese families who are currently stationed at Luke AFB.

Dir. Gen. Kathleen Roberts RAAF

RAAF Director General Kathleen Roberts, who is responsible for the implementation of the JSF program for Australia, recently visited Luke AFB to check on the progress.

FCP also hosted a small community reception which also included the 56th Fighter Wing Commander General Pleus. This event provided FCP the opportunity to provide a deeper education of what FCP is to Luke AFB to the visiting Director-General. It also provided FCP supporters the ability to ask unique questions to our Australian leaders as well. The breakfast had great interaction, and we look forward to working with our foreign partners.

The roles and responsibilities of FCP are very unique, and the fact that it sometimes includes being involved in important events like Australia’s first F-35 rollout in Fort Worth is incredible. It is yet another reminder of how humbled and privileged were are at FCP to have the responsibilities that we do.

We look forward to the arrival of more Australian families, and we will welcome them as we do all Luke families.

Leave a Reply