Lockheed Martin, Edwards Air Force Base, 416th FLTS F-35 ITF, JSF, 6 ship static display, sunrise, AF-1, AF-2, AF-3, AF-4, AF-6, AF-7

The long awaited draft EIS was announced today which sets in motion the process for determining the likelihood of stationing up to 6 squadrons of F-35′s at Luke AFB.  The F-35A is the Air Force’s variant of the Joint Strike Fighter, which will replace the F-16 Falcon, F-15 Eagle and the A-10 Thunderbolt as the military’s new multi-role fighter.

The Draft EIS provides a detailed analysis of factors affecting air quality, noise and other impacts to the environment and provides an evaluation of reasonable alternatives. The environmental study is federally required when an air base is considered for a change in aircraft. The Draft F-35A Training EIS document will be available for review online at www.F-35ATrainingEIS.com.

The release of the F-35A training Draft EIS report begins the environmental review process that includes a public comment period. Public hearings will be held in mid-February in communities near Luke AFB. Citizens, interested parties and governmental agencies will also be able to submit public comments in writing to the Air Force during the public comment period, which closes on March 14, 2012. Upon completion of the public comment period, the Air Force will then publish its final EIS report in early summer prior to making its final decision. The Air Force anticipates issuing a Record of Decision (ROD) for F-35A training by July 2012. The ROD completes the EIS process.

Key Dates to Remember:

• January 20, 2012 - Public release of the F-35A Training Draft EIS
• January 20, 2012 – March 14, 2012  -   Public hearings for Luke AFB, Arizona
• February 13-16, 2012 - Public comment period for F-35A Training Draft EIS closes
• Summer 2012 - Release of Final F-35A Training EIS
• Summer 2012 - Issuance of USAF F-35A Training EIS Record of Decision

We are encouraging you to ask friends, neighbors, and relatives to register their support of the F-35 training mission at Luke online by visiting www.LukeForward.com. Thus far, nearly 21,000 citizens living in every city and town throughout Arizona have registered their support for the new mission at the air base.

We will be keeping you apprised throughout the process, and we look forward to a positive outcome!

1. Luke Forward F-35 Mission Update
2. F-35 DEIS Update from Luke Forward
3. LUKE AFB SELECTED AS PREFERRED LOCATION FOR F-35 PILOT TRAINING CENTER

F-35A Training Draft EIS Available Winter 2012

F-35 Mission Update: The United States Air Force issued the following revised schedule for the release of F-35 Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). As indicated in the news release, the draft EIS has been deferred to December 2011/January 2012. The public comment period will follow the release of the draft EIS by 30-45 days. It is expected that the Record of Decision will likely come in Summer 2012.

Thank you for your continued support of the F-35 Mission and Luke AFB.

Pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), the Draft EIS analyzes potential impacts on the natural, cultural and human environment associated with changes in personnel, construction of facilities, and training activities in existing military airspace and ranges to support the proposed F-35A beddown. No location will be selected until after the EIS is complete.

The Air Force conducted public scoping meetings in early 2010 to identify community concerns and environmental issues to address in the EIS. Potential noise from the training was identified as a primary community and environmental concern. As a result of those concerns as well as ongoing testing and development of the F-35A, the Air Force conducted additional noise studies. The results of these noise studies are being incorporated into the Draft EIS. Therefore, the Draft EIS, originally thought to be available in 2010, will become available in the winter of 2012.

Following release of the Draft EIS, the Air Force will host public hearings to provide details on the Draft EIS analysis and ensure the public has a fair and equal opportunity to consider and comment on the document and the proposals. The public will have 45 days to comment on the analysis presented in the Draft EIS.

Once available, the Draft EIS date of availability, the dates and locations of public hearings, and the location of public libraries will be posted. The public will be able to download the document from this website or view it at a public library. Individuals who attended the scoping meetings held in early 2010 and requested a copy of the Draft EIS will be provided with a copy once it is available. All interested individuals and organizations are encouraged to attend the public hearings and to comment on the Draft EIS and analysis.

This information has been provided by http://www.f-35atrainingeis.com/Schedule.html

1. F-35 DEIS Update from Luke Forward
2. DRAFT ENVIRONMENTAL STUDY RELEASED TODAY FOR F-35 AT LUKE AFB
3. Confirm Support for the F-35 Mission at Luke AFB

A crew chief from the 33rd Fighter Wing guides a Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II to its final parking position. The aircraft, known as AF-9, is the first production F-35 to be delivered to Eglin AFB. AF-9 arrived at 1:18 p.m. CDT after launching on its more than 90-minute ferry flight from Fort Worth, Texas. The jet will be used for activities in concert with training F-35 pilots and maintainers who begin coursework at the base’s new F-35 Integrated Training Center this fall.

The first Air Force F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter arrived at Eglin Air Force Base July 14, marking a major milestone in our nation’s military history.

“It’s an exciting day here at the wing, where our joint and integrated team has been preparing for this day since October 2009,” Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter wing commander. “I have no doubt the caliber of the Airmen, Sailors, Marines and contractors will provide safe and effective training operations at Eglin. Now we look forward to the start of classes later this year.”

The military’s first F-35 pilots ferried the joint strike fighter from Lockheed Martin headquarters in Fort Worth, Texas, to its new home at Eglin. The unique environment comprised of military, civilians and contractors at Eglin will train pilots and maintainers for all three variants of the aircraft.

As the world’s first multirole stealth fighter, the JSF is known for its superior range, cutting-edge avionics and next-generation sensor fusion. Each model shares breakthroughs in combat performance, survivability and support, while each is specifically tailored for unique service needs.

A BRAC 2005 decision recommended Eglin as the initial joint training site for the Department of Defense. Since then, the 33rd FW flew its last F-15 September 2009, transitioned to Air Education and Training Command October 2009 and completed $400 million in military construction and upgrades this year to support the necessary infrastructure on the wing’s JSF training campus.

This article is made available with permission of Pueblo Publishers, Inc.

1. F-35 Training Simulators flying high at Eglin Air Force Base
2. John McCain confident Luke Air Force Base will receive the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
3. F-35 Noise Issue between Valparaiso and the Air Force settled

It is important to note that Luke AFB remains the preferred site for the F-35 active duty training mission. The revised release date for the DEIS is September 2011, with the public comment period occurring in October. The Final EIS is scheduled for release in January 2012, and the Record of Decision will follow in the March-April 2012 timeframe.

For those registered to receive e-mail, we will be contacting you in advance of the release of the DEIS to inform you of the next round of public hearings that are tentatively planned for October as well as opportunities for you to participate and continue to show your support. In the meantime, please continue to encourage friends, family and colleagues to sign up at www.LukeForward.com. We are 22,000 strong and growing!

1. Luke Forward F-35 Mission Update
2. Support Building for Statewide F-35 Luke Forward Campaign
3. Attend a Public Hearing & Voice Your Support for the F-35 Mission at Luke AFB

“We have not changed our inventory objective,” U.S. Navy Vice Admiral David Venlet told industry executives at his first public appearance since taking over as program manager of the Pentagon’s largest acquisition program last May.

Venlet said the Air Force still planned to buy 1,763 of the stealthy new fighter jets, and the Navy planned to buy 680 for the Navy and Marine Corps, although it was considering whether to change its mix of carrier and short takeoff variants.

Decisions on that issue would be announced by the service chiefs in coming weeks, Venlet told a luncheon hosted by the National Aeronautic Association.

Venlet said he was confident that the latest restructuring, the program’s second in less than year, was realistic and achievable because it was based on “very deep assessments” of all facets of the program, including technical issues, the manufacturing process, testing, and the supply chain.

Earlier reviews were more top down, while these assessments were bottom up, he noted.

Venlet said the decision to add $4.6 billion to the program was carefully and repeatedly vetted, and he was confident that the extra money would suffice to complete its development.

He said Pentagon acquisition chief Ashton Carter had told him that officials had been disappointed when earlier minor tweaks did not produce results. Venlet said he took it to heart when Carter told him, “I don’t want to be disappointed.”

The admiral acknowledged that postponing production of 124 jets as part of this restructuring on top of 100 jets already deferred earlier would drive up short-term unit costs since the program was still on a very “steep learning curve.”

For the next few years, he said it would add in the range of $4 million to the cost of each airplane, tapering off to around $1 million in a few years.

Read more @ http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/02/15/lockheed-fighter-idUSN1522311520110215

1. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program will be delayed by about one year
2. Pentagon underscores commitment to F-35
3. New F-35 program head named as Vice Admiral David Venlet

1. John McCain confident Luke Air Force Base will receive the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter
2. Luke AFB 2009 Air Show Video
3. 5th generation fighter planes (F-35 & F-22) video

Valley leaders reacted last week with excitement to an announcement by Sen. John McCain that the Department of Air Force has selected Luke Air Force Base as its preferred training base for stationing of the F-35 Lightning II (Joint Strike Fighter).

“The Air Force has recognized that the unparalleled capabilities inherent to Arizona – from the Barry M. Goldwater Range, to great flying weather, and strong support from state and local governments and communities, serve to provide the best environment and the finest quality of life for our military personnel training in the Air Force’s next generation fighter,” McCain said. “In return, Luke AFB offers the West Valley and the state of Arizona a strong economic engine, contributing more than 8,000 jobs and $2.17 billion annually to the state’s economy.”

With the decision, Luke is now poised to transition from its current F-16 training mission to become the Air Force’s “school house,” subject to the completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process that is currently underway.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs said she was happy and relieved.

“Obviously, they did the right thing for the Air Force, national defense, the state of Arizona and the West Valley,” Scruggs said. “This represents a major milestone and the most critical stage in the F-35 site-selection process. Although we realize there is more work ahead of us, we are extremely grateful to our state’s congressional delegation, the Arizona Legislature, Gov. Jan Brewer, Attorney General Terry Goddard and citizens and businesses for working closely with us to champion and support the F-35 coming to Luke Air Force Base through our Luke Forward campaign.”

The campaign was developed to send a clear, strong message to the Department of Defense that Arizona supports Luke AFB continuing to serve as one of the country’s premier fighter pilot training facilities and to raise awareness of the critical role Luke plays in our national defense and state’s economy.”

Brewer called the selection a testament to Arizona’s great team effort.

“Having Luke selected as the F-35 training center was personal for me. Luke is in my back yard, and I was a founding member of Luke’s Fighter Country Partnership,” said Brewer, who is a resident of Glendale. “In a letter to Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley before the selection, and in leading a delegation of Arizona officials to meetings at the Pentagon, I noted Luke is the perfect location for this advanced fighter aircraft given the fact that Arizona has state statutes in place to manage growth around our military installations that protect their missions. I reminded him of Luke’s unique assets – including its proximity to the 2.7-million acre Barry M. Goldwater Range, key to air-to-ground combat training, along with 57,000 cubic miles of airspace overhead where pilots practice air-to-air maneuvers and engage targets on the ground.”

Fighter Country Partnership (FCP) Chairman Charley Freericks, who is co-chairing the Luke Forward Campaign with Scruggs, credits community support for the decision.

“Local community support of military bases is very important back in Washington, and we know the tremendous Valley and statewide support for Luke Air Force Base really helped us,” said Freericks, a senior vice president at DMB Associates. “We reached literally tens of thousands of Arizonans through our citizen and business outreach initiatives, and community support for Luke AFB was overwhelming. There is no question that this strong level of support was a significant factor in the Air Force’s decision to site F-35 at Luke.”

Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett called Luke AFB a real economic driver in the West Valley.

“The F-35 mission ensures Luke’s viability for the next 40 years,” Barrett said. “This is the best news we could have hoped for at this point. The City of Peoria will continue to strongly support the mission and Luke AFB throughout this process.”

The announcement that Luke was a preferred base was made prior to the Air Force’s draft F-35 basing EIS document, which is anticipated to be published in the next 30 days.

The Air Force is required to conduct an environmental assessment of each potential F-35 site before making its final basing decision.

The federally mandated assessment, which is referred to as the EIS process, allows individual citizens and communities around candidate bases to provide input during the formal evaluation of each base.

The Draft EIS will serve as the Air Force’s notice of intent to proceed. Once the Draft EIS is released, in which Luke will be identified as the Air Force’s preferred site, public hearings will be held later this year.

Once the public hearings are held and the comment period concludes, the Air Force will release its final EIS document that will provide responses to comments received from the public.

After the Final EIS document is published, there will be an additional 30-day public review period. After reviewing comments and after considering any environmental impacts, the Air Force will make its final decision.

It is anticipated the Air Force’s final “Record Decision” which will conclude the environmental impact process, will be made in early 2011.

Reach the reporter at ejackman@star-times.com, or 623-847-4615.

1. LUKE AFB SELECTED AS PREFERRED LOCATION FOR F-35 PILOT TRAINING CENTER
2. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
3. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base

And there’s no better time for good news from Washington.

The Air Force announced Thursday that Luke, at this point in the military’s analysis, is the optimum training location for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter. The F-35 replaces the aging F-16, for which Luke has been the premier training site in the world.

This is a major step in securing Luke’s future. Landing the F-35 is expected to have a positive impact for decades. In the short term, the F-35 could initially bring in as much as $125 million in construction money to ready the base for the aircraft.

Throughout its 69-year history, Luke has played a vital role in the nation’s defense and in Arizona’s development. The base has made a major imprint on the Valley’s growth and has a $2.2 billion annual effect on the state economy.

Its presence is well-known and treasured, which is why Arizona’s political and business leaders and other Luke supporters waged an impressive campaign to tout the base’s virtues to the Defense Department.

Luke was on a short list for the F-35 with training bases in Idaho, Florida and New Mexico. Now Luke is no longer a contender for the new fighter jet; it is the training mission location to beat.

Barring an unexpected adverse finding during an upcoming environmental impact study, Luke should get final approval for the F-35 before next summer.

In a bright future, Luke remains an important part of Arizona’s economy and the nation’s defense system.

From the Arizona Republic Opinions on Aug. 4, 2010 – Read more

1. F-16 makes hard landing at Wickenburg Municipal Airport
2. F-35 STOVL expected to make first vertical landing soon
3. Third F-35 Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter lands

Post credit: Gizmodo

1. Lockheed Martin’s state-of-the-art painting process for the F-35 JSF
2. The Impact of Luke and Other Military Operations
3. Understanding the real dollar impact of Luke and other military operations in Arizona

With today’s decision by the Air Force, Luke is poised to transition from its current F-16 training mission to become the Air Force’s F-35 “school house,” subject to completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process that is currently underway.

“Today’s announcement is great news for our region and our state and represents a major milestone and the most critical stage in the F-35 site selection process,” said Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs.

“Although we realize there is more work ahead of us, we are extremely grateful to our state’s congressional delegation, the Arizona Legislature, Governor Jan Brewer, Attorney General Terry Goddard, and citizens and businesses for working closely with us to champion and support the F-35 coming to Luke Air Force Base through our Luke Forward campaign,” Scruggs said.

The campaign was developed locally to send a clear, strong message to the Department of Defense that Arizona supports Luke Air Force Base continuing to serve as one of the country’s premier fighter pilot training facilities and to raise awareness of the critical role Luke plays in our national defense and the state’s economy.

The campaign was created by the West Valley Partners and Fighter Country Partnership.  The West Valley Partners include Avondale, Buckeye, Glendale, Gila Bend, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, Maricopa County, Peoria, Phoenix, Surprise, Tolleson, Wickenburg and Youngtown.

Gov. Brewer said the Air Force’s decision is, in part, the result of all levels of local and state governments, as well as the private sector, working in partnership on a common vision.

“We all know that Luke is the ideal location for this next generation fighter, but I also believe that today’s decision demonstrates Arizona’s ability to roll up our sleeves and work together for the betterment of our state,” she said.

“It’s critical that we continue to do all we can to preserve current and future missions at our military installations in order to keep this very important industry viable in our state.”

Luke Air Force Base and other military installations in the state collectively represent one of the largest industries in Arizona and generate more than $9 billion annually in economic impact statewide. Luke alone contributes more than 8,000 jobs and $2.17 billion annually to Arizona’s economy, according to a recent study commissioned by the state.

Fighter Country Partnership (FCP) Chairman Charley Freericks, who is co-chairing the Luke Forward campaign with Scruggs, credits community support for today’s decision.
“Local community support of military bases is very important back in Washington, and we know the tremendous Valley and statewide support for Luke Air Force Base really helped us,” said Freericks, a senior vice president at DMB Associates.

“We reached literally tens of thousands of Arizonans through our citizen and business outreach initiatives, and community support for Luke Air Force Base was overwhelming. There is no question that this strong level of support was a significant factor in the Air Force’s decision to site the F-35 at Luke.”

Today’s announcement is being made prior to the release of the Air Force’s draft F-35 basing EIS document, which is anticipated to be published in the next 30 days. The Air Force is required to conduct an environmental assessment of each potential F-35 site before making its final basing decision.

This federally mandated assessment, which is referred to as the EIS process, allows individual citizens and communities around candidate bases to provide input during the formal evaluation of each base.

The Draft EIS will serve as the Air Force’s notice of intent to proceed. Once the Draft EIS is released, in which Luke will be identified as the Air Force’s preferred site, public hearings will be held later this year.

Once the public hearings are held and the comment period concludes, the Air Force will release its final EIS document that will provide responses to comments received from the public.

After the Final EIS document is published, there will be an additional 30-day public review period. After reviewing comments received during this time frame and after considering any environmental impacts, the Air Force will making its final basing decision. It is anticipated the Air Force’s final “Record of Decision,” which will conclude the EIS process, will be made in early 2011.

1. Luke AFB Pilot Selected to Fly F-35 Lightning II at Eglin AFB
2. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
3. Luke Air Force Base F-16 Fighter Pilot Instructor Captain Hubbard Selected for Thunderbirds

By Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas) – 06/30/10 07:59 PM ET

The F-35 joint strike fighter program has changed significantly during the past year. The Pentagon restructured the program, installed new leadership to oversee it and conducted a thorough review of the entire project.

One thing hasn’t changed: America needs the F-35.

The Defense Department reaffirmed that fact in a recent report to Congress after taking a hard look at the next-generation fighter. The reassessment concluded the F-35 is vital to national defense and “remains the backbone of the (aviation) inventory.”

The F-35 Lightning II program is delivering three variants of the same aircraft to three U.S. service branches — the Air Force, the Navy and the Marines — as well as several allies who are helping to pay for its development.

The common features shared by the three variants decrease development and operational costs. Just as importantly, the unique features of each variant provide the versatility required for the Air Force to operate on conventional runways, the Navy to operate on aircraft carriers and the Marines to land vertically like a helicopter.

The F-35 will do the job of four aging aircraft that have been the workhorses of our services for the past three decades. It can provide air support for ground troops or attack targets at sea or on land.

Intense scrutiny and restructuring have improved the F-35 program. Now, it’s time to move forward. What the program needs now is stability.

Some Members of Congress have raised the prospect of once again slowing the rate of F-35 production. Current plans call for production to ramp up from 43 aircraft in fiscal year 2011 to more than 220 a year by fiscal year 2016.

Maintaining that production schedule is important because reductions would delay delivery of this vital aircraft to our services and guarantee higher costs. The F-35 program relies on almost 900 suppliers in 45 states. Those companies, which include small businesses, need certainty in the production schedule so they can hire employees and purchase equipment to meet their con tractual obligations on time and on budget.

Stability also encourages foreign investment in the F-35. Eight U.S. allies have partnered with the United States to develop the aircraft. During the life of the program, foreign sales could total more than $60 billion — providing jobs at home and closer cooperation with U.S. allies abroad.

The F-35 is not a jobs program, but in this economy the jobs are certainly welcome. Even at the current low rate of production, the F-35 program generates more than 127,000 direct and indirect jobs across the country. The overall economic impact of the program will total about $11.1 billion this year alone.

Those high-quality jobs are breathing new life into a manufacturing and technology base depleted by spending reductions for military aviation after the end of the Cold War. The production infrastructure is available to deliver F-35s in the quantities that the Defense Department needs.

Production delays would drive up costs, disrupt the supply chain, weaken the commitment of allies and force the service branches to continue to rely on aging, outdated aircraft. No one wins.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates is determined to cut defense programs that he considers wasteful but the secretary also understands the need for stability. In a Statement of Administration Policy on the House

Armed Services Committee National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2011, the White House has warned ongress that restrictions that limit F-35 production would “impose unacceptable schedule and budget risks.”

To underscore the depth of administration support, the White House warning included a veto threat for any provisions “that would seriously disrupt the F-35 program.”

Of course, cost is a legitimate concern for any government program. Members of Congress and the Defense Department have an obligation to maintain their oversight role on the F-35 program. As a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, I believe the close scrutiny should continue, and it will.

But unnecessary delays will not save money. It is time to move forward with a realistic production schedule for an aircraft that America needs now. The F-35 is ready for takeoff.

Rep. Granger is the Ranking Republican on the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Subcommittee and sits on the Defense Subcommittee.

Source:
http://thehill.com/special-reports/defense-a-aerospace-july-2010/106569-the-f-35-cleared-for-takeoff

1. Hundreds of F-35 aircraft suppliers coordinate with Teamcenter
2. F35 JSF for Operational Testing – Britain Aquiring 3rd STOVL Model
3. Lockheed’s F-35 program shuffled three executive positions Monday

Sen. John McCain at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona

On Friday, U.S. Sen. John McCain told West Valley leaders in Litchfield Park that he is confident Luke Air Force Base will land the F-35 Lightning II, a new generation of stealth aircraft.

The F-35 Lightning II, also called the Joint Strike Fighter, has long been regarded as the savior of Luke, a base in Glendale where F-16 pilots are trained. McCain was addressing Westmarc, a West Valley consortium of business, government and community leaders.

“I can say with great confidence, we will have the F-35 at Luke Air Force Base where training for every Air Force pilot will take place,” he said.

The Air Force is in the midst of an environmental-impact study to determine the aircraft’s effect on such things as air quality and noise. A first draft is expected in September.

Although the decision where to base the F-35 isn’t McCain’s, he is the ranking Republican member of the Senate Armed Services Committee. He is also running for re-election in a Republican primary campaign against challenger J.D. Hayworth, a former six-term Arizona congressman and conservative radio talk-show host.

Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and Peoria Mayor Bob Barrett were thrilled at McCain’s prediction.

“What jumped out at me is the F-35 is coming to Luke Air Force Base,” Scruggs said. “I liked that certainty and assuredness and no questions about it.”

Barrett said the most important economic issue facing the West Valley is the acquisition of the F-35 at Luke. Luke’s economic impact on the state is almost $2.2 billion.

“For the senator to stand up there and say he is confident that we’re going to secure the F-35 is exhilarating,” Barrett said.

Story by David Madrid @ The Arizona Republic

1. Senator John McCain Honored by Fighter Country
2. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base
3. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Flies in United Kingdom

EO DAS and Related Information

AN/AAQ-37 EO DAS
AN/APG-81 AESA Radar for the F-35
F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

Related Videos

AN/APG-81 AESA Radar for the F-35
Scalable Agile Beam Radar (SABR)
Northrop Grumman YouTube Channel

Careers

Opportunities at Northrop Grumman Electronic Systems

1. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Helmet Mounted Display System
2. Lockheed Martin Awarded Millions for Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning Radars
3. Video: Luke AFB in Arizona may receive F-35 JSF

The Pentagon’s forthcoming warplane, the Joint Strike Fighter, is intended for use across the different branches of the military but has come under fire in Congress for skyrocketing costs and delays. Skeptics and defenders of the aircraft, which will be called the F-35, express their views in the following extended interviews. Author and journalist Bill Sweetman says for the first time the re-equipment plans of the U.S. fighter force is reliant on one program and one manufacturer:

Chapter 1:

Watch Chapter 2

Watch Chapter 3

Watch Chapter 4

1. Pros & Cons of the F-35 JSF Chapter 2
2. Chapter 4: Tom Burbage of Lockheed Martin defends the F-35 JSF from Critics
3. Chapter 3: Winslow Wheeler says F-35 was doomed from the start

U.S. Air Force Test Pilot Lt. Col. Hank “Hog” Griffiths and Lockheed Martin Chief Test Pilot Jon Beesley flew the jets, known as AF-1 and AF-2, nonstop in the first multi-ship, long-range F-35 flight.

“The ferry flight went very smoothly, and reflects how the Air Force and Lockheed Martin will work cooperatively as we enter long-term F-35 testing at Edwards,” Beesley said.

During the jets’ deployment to Edwards, the F-35s will undergo ground- and flight-test activities for propulsion, aerial refueling, logistical support, weapons integration and flight-envelope expansion.

“Through rigorous flight testing we are developing dominant and lethal 5th generation fighter capability for America and her allies,” said Doug Pearson, Lockheed Martin vice president of F-35 test and verification.

“This historic moment at Edwards Air Force Base begins the planned expansion of F-35 flight test to a third permanent operating location. Lockheed Martin F-35A flight testing is a highly integrated partnership with the United States Air Force.”

Three F-35s are currently undergoing flight trials at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., the primary test site for the F-35B short takeoff/ vertical landing variant and the F-35C carrier variant. F-35s have conducted more than 200 test flights, with six additional test aircraft scheduled to begin flying and deploying to the two test sites this year.

The F-35A conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) variant – designed to meet U.S. Air Force requirements – is also the primary export version of the Lightning II. The air forces of Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Canada, Australia, Denmark and Norway will employ the F-35A.

F-35 test aircraft are supported by the F-35 Autonomic Logistics Information System (ALIS) and managed by the Lockheed Martin F-35 Sustainment Operations Center in Fort Worth. ALIS is the worldwide support system reporting and recording the prognostics and health of all F-35s around the globe to ensure mission readiness.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

1. Lockheed Martin F-35 Flew Just 10% of Planned 2009 Tests
2. Lockheed Martin Awarded Millions for Advanced Hawkeye Airborne Early Warning Radars
3. Lockheed Martin considering F-35 sales to India

The Navy plans to begin sending pilots in early 2011 to the training squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. Lockheed Martin, which makes the F-35, is developing the training program for the first cadre of experienced pilots, who will in turn train a broader group of Navy pilots.

The F-35C community will be limited to experienced pilots — mostly those with at least 1,000 flight hours — who are coming from the F/A-18 Hornet community, for at least two years, said Joanne Puglisi, Lockheed’s director of training for the F-35. The F-35C is the carrier variant of the tri-service program.

After that, the Navy could begin to ship pilots fresh out of flight school to the F-35C training wing, Puglisi said.

“We need those high-time transition guys to make sure that the things we’re training will be validated by the young kids,” Puglisi said.

The first cadre of pilots will also fly initial aircraft with limited software systems. For example, aircraft with an air-to-ground mission package may arrive before those with the air-to-air software.

“The airplane is arriving with different blocks of software. … A transition guy with a thousand flight hours will understand that I may only have this piece [of software],” she said.

Upon arrival at the training wing, pilots will receive laptop computers and a unique stick-and-throttle device that plugs into its USB port and allows for simulation training at home.

The first F-35 simulators arrived in April at the training wing at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. A full-scale simulator with a 360-degree dome will arrive later this year.

The F-35 training software will be directly tied to fleet aircraft software. That will allow the training wing to update its software soon after the aircraft systems receive major upgrades.

In the past, simulation programs were developed independently, and the training software is often several years old.

“If they make a change, we want to be able to put that in the trainer much faster, probably within months of each other,” Puglisi said.

Source: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2010/05/navy_F35_simulators_051710w/

1. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
2. Luke Air Force Base Serves as the “School House” for Air Force Fighter Training
3. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base

The company said Crowley will be responsible for day to day functions of the division. For the last five years, he was general manager of Lockheed’s F-35 program.

Taking over for Crowley on that program will be Larry Lawson. Lawson had been general manager of the F-22 Raptor program since December 2004.

George Shultz, who had been the deputy manager of the F-22 program, will take over as general manager.

The changes are effective June 7.

The Pentagon restructured the $300 billion F-35 program earlier this year and withheld up to $614 million in award fees from Lockheed because its performance undercut expectations.

The company is beginning to shut down the production line for the radar-evading F-22 after years of fighting to sell more of the most advanced fighters in the world to the government.

The F-35, also known as the Joint Strike Fighter is in development with eight foreign countries. Slated to replace over a dozen aging fighters worldwide, it will become the world’s largest military fighter aircraft program.

The Pentagon’s No. 1 defense contractor also said that George Shultz, vice president and deputy general manager of the F-22 program since November 2008, would take over as general manager of that program in June.

Chris Hellman, defense analyst and director of research at the National Priorities Project, said the news of Crowley’s promotion was surprising, given cost overruns of nearly 50 percent on the F-35 program.

“Given the recent problems with the program it’s hard to avoid the perception of rewarding poor management,” Hellman said, noting that for years, Lockheed had been promoting the F-35 as a low-cost alternative to the more expensive F-22.

“When one of your selling points is the affordability of the aircraft, cost growth on the order of magnitude of 50 percent is a serious problem,” Hellman said.

Lockheed Chief Executive Robert Stevens told reporters in March that he had absolute confidence in Crowley, despite problems with the program, although he had made changes to increase corporate oversight.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates in February removed the Marine Corps general who was running the F-35 program for the Pentagon. His successor, a Navy admiral, has been appointed, but not yet confirmed by the Senate.

Daniel J. Crowley was appointed Executive Vice President of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Joint Strike Fighter Program effective May 2, 2005. He is responsible for successful completion of the F-35 System Design and Development Program, transition to full rate production, and global deployment and sustainment of three F-35 variants for 13 military services in nine partner countries. Mr. Crowley has held several key positions with Lockheed Martin, including President of Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support, where he led a 2700-person company focused on mission readiness and Vice President of Business Development and Advanced Programs for Lockheed Martin Space and Strategic Missiles responsible for strategic planning, advanced technology concepts and new business acquisition.

1. Despite troubled F-35 Schedule, Executive in charge gets vote of confidence
2. New F-35 program head named as Vice Admiral David Venlet
3. Spotlight likely to be on F-35 program in Singapore

The Pentagon’s forthcoming warplane, the Joint Strike Fighter, is intended for use across the different branches of the military but has come under fire in Congress for skyrocketing costs and delays. Skeptics and defenders of the aircraft, which will be called the F-35, express their views in the following extended interviews. Author and journalist Bill Sweetman says for the first time the re-equipment plans of the U.S. fighter force is reliant on one program and one manufacturer:

Chapter 2:
Maj. Gen. C.D. Moore says the F-35′s near invisibility to enemy weapons systems is one of the factors that will make it an effective warplane:

Watch Chapter 1

Watch Chapter 3

Watch Chapter 4

1. Pros & Cons of the F-35 JSF Chapter 1
2. Chapter 3: Winslow Wheeler says F-35 was doomed from the start
3. Chapter 4: Tom Burbage of Lockheed Martin defends the F-35 JSF from Critics

BY JOYCE LOBECK – SUN STAFF WRITER

The future for Marine Corps Air Station Yuma is rapidly approaching as development of the F-35, the nation’s new joint strike fighter, moves forward.

The air station is slated to become the first base to receive the very first of the new aircraft in spring of 2012, according to the “preferred option” and current time line, said Maj. James Combs, community plans and liaison officer for MCAS Yuma, during Greater Yuma Economic Development Corp.’s quarterly investors luncheon Tuesday.

It all hinges on the record of decision, scheduled for December. In the meantime, Combs said the environmental impact statement is slated for public release in May, to be followed by a series of public hearings to begin in mid-June.

“I’ve reviewed the EIS and it looks favorable for Yuma and (Marine Corps Air Station) Miramar,” he said. “There aren’t any outstanding concerns that I saw.”

Still, he said, it’s important for area residents to attend the public meetings and voice their concerns, issues and questions.

“The public meetings will have an impact on the decision,” he said. “Let us know your thoughts. This is the time for the community to speak up and have its voice heard.”

It will be particularly important, he said, for defense officials to hear how the community supports the military. That’s a tradition in Yuma, he noted, that is the envy of other military installations.

Julie Engel, president and CEO of GYEDC, also stressed the importance of public participation.

To that end, the Citizens Action Committee to support the F-35 will meet from 5 to 7 p.m. May 10 at the Yuma County Chamber of Commerce auditorium, 180 W. 1st St. (the old City Hall council chambers).

“We want a big showing at the forum and the public meetings,” she said. “We can’t grow more houses until we grow the economy.”

And the F-35 coming to MCAS Yuma presents a real opportunity to benefit the area’s economy.

For one thing, it will mean more aircraft and more personnel here, both military and civilian, Combs noted.

If the preferred option is approved, MCAS Yuma is slated to receive five F-35 squadrons of 10 to 16 aircraft each as well as an operational testing and evaluation squadron of six aircraft, for a total of 76 aircraft. That’s 26 more aircraft than are currently based here.

It also will mean an additional 500 personnel. And it will require a presence by civilian contractors to help with advanced maintenance, Combs said.

The goal is to have personnel start arriving the summer of 2011, 10 aircraft here by December 2012 and the first scheduled deployment in 2014, Combs said. Other F-35 squadrons would be based at Miramar.

To get ready for the F-35, an estimated nearly $500 million is being invested over three years in new infrastructure at MCAS Yuma, such as state-of-the-art hangars with greater security.

One reason MCAS Yuma is at the leading edge, Combs said, is because as a training base, the air station will need to support the F-35 for transient squadrons even if the aircraft weren’t to be based here.

Engel also noted that with Yuma centrally located among Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force bases in California and Arizona, it is in a position to support the versions of the F-35 being developed for the three military branches.

The F-35A with conventional landing and takeoff capability is being developed for the Air Force, the Marine Corps version is the F-35B with short take off and vertical landing capability, while the F-35C is being developed for the Navy with carrier landing capability.

Combs said MCAS Yuma has also been designated for a temporary training squadron if plans fall through to locate training for all the military branches at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. However, he said, lawsuits challenging Eglin are currently on hold and that base is on track.

Combs also stressed that the Marine Corps’ decision about the F-35 is independent of the other two branches, including the Air Force, which is considering Phoenix or Tucson bases. He added that Marine Corps will lead the way by receiving the F-35B in 2012, while the Navy is scheduled to begin receiving the F-35C by 2014 and the Air Force the F-35A by 2016.

Joyce Lobeck can be reached at jlobeck@yumasun.com or 539-6853.

1. Community Support Key to Arrival of F-35 in Yuma
2. McCain letters support F-35,
   raise concerns for F-16 move
3. F-35 Noise Concerns an action item for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords

FORT WORTH, Texas, April 26 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), jointly with Magestic Systems, Inc. (MSI) and Nikon Metrology, has won a first-place JEC Innovation Award in composites manufacturing for technology used in the production of the F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter.

The 2010 JEC Innovation Award was presented in Paris in recognition of the cured laminate compensation (CLC) process – an innovative composite manufacturing solution for achieving precision, as-built laminate thickness without costly post-cure machining. This new metrology-assisted process is used in the production of composite parts for the F-35 and was developed specifically to pre-measure and correct the thickness of cured composite wing skins for the F-35. The technology will result in significant cost savings to Lockheed Martin and its F-35 global supply network.

“The award spotlights a highly innovative process in the most innovative fighter production system ever devised,” said Mike Packer, Lockheed Martin vice president of Manufacturing Strategy & Processes. “This process increases production of right-first-time composite parts, using both MSI’s Ply Compensation(TM) System (PCS(TM)) and Nikon Metrology’s Laser Radar technology.”

The award was presented at an April 13 ceremony during the opening of the JEC Show in Paris. A jury of renowned international experts selected the best composite innovations, based on their technical interest, market potential, partnership, financial impact and originality. The JEC Show is JEC Composites’ annual conference focused on the application and advancement of composites. JEC Composites is the leading network supporting the global composite industry.

The F-35 Lightning II is a 5th generation fighter, combining advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations, advanced sustainment, and lower operational and support costs. Lockheed Martin is developing the F-35 with its principal industrial partners, Northrop Grumman and BAE Systems. Two separate, interchangeable F-35 engines are under development: the Pratt & Whitney F135 and the GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team F136.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Md., Lockheed Martin is a global security company that employs about 136,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. The Corporation reported 2009 sales of $45.2 billion.

For additional information, visit our website:

http://www.lockheedmartin.com

For F-35 photos and videos, visit:

http://multivu.prnewswire.com/player/42215-lockheed-martin-f-35/

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company

Source: PR Newswire

1. Third F-35 Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter lands
2. The first two production F-35 fighters are in final assembly
3. F135 CTOL/CV engine for the Lockheed F-35 stealth fighter gets ISR

The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program creates the perfect opportunity — a multi-role aircraft replacing numerous tactical fighter aircraft, with potential production for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marines and international customers to reach 5,000 to 6,000 aircraft over 30 years. Without competing engines for the fighter, a $100 billion monopoly will be handed to a single supplier.

The JSF engine program will ultimately reach $100 billion. Recently, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) anticipated a 20 percent benefit from a JSF engine competition, using the F-16 engine competition as a comparison. There are also vast benefits beyond sheer cost – related to operational readiness and contractor responsiveness.

The P&W F135 development is estimated to grow 50 percent beyond its original contract, from $4.8 billion to $7.3 billion, according to a recent report from the GAO, adding, “F135 engine development cost increases primarily resulted from higher costs for labor and materials, supplier problems, and the rework needed to correct deficiencies with an engine blade during re-design.”

The F136 engine is a product of the best technology from two world-leading propulsion companies. The GE Rolls-Royce Fighter Engine Team has designed the only engine specifically developed for the F-35 aircraft, offering extra temperature margin and affordable growth. F136 engine development is being led at GE Aviation in Evendale, Ohio (Cincinnati suburb), Ohio; and at Rolls-Royce in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The F-35 is a 5th-generation, multi-role aircraft designed to replace the AV-8B Harrier, A-10, F-16, F/A-18 Hornet and the United Kingdom’s Harrier GR.7 and Sea Harrier, all of which are currently powered by GE or Rolls-Royce. Potential F-35 production for the U.S. Air Force, Navy, Marines and international customers may reach as many as 5000 to 6000 aircraft over the next 30 years.

GE Aviation is a world-leading provider of commercial and military jet engines and components as well as integrated digital, electric power, and mechanical systems for aircraft. GE Aviation also has a global service network to support these offerings. For more information, visit us at www.ge.com/aviation.

General Electric Co. and Rolls-Royce today announced that they have offered to the Pentagon a fixed price offer on their F136 engine for the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF).

The offer intends to create and accelerate competition between the JSF program’s two engine suppliers, and to shift the risk of cost overruns from the government to defense contractors.

The offer could change the Government’s acquisition model for procuring approximately 150 F136 engines in the early years of the fighter program, allowing the Government to know immediately its costs over this period. Also, the approach is intended to drive lower pricing between the two competing engine suppliers.

With more than 70 percent of its development complete, the GE/Rolls-Royce F136 engine program is poised for flight-testing next year.

“Today, we are announcing a fixed-price offer for F136 engines purchased in 2012, followed by further price reductions for engines procured in each 2013 and 2014,” said David Joyce, president and CEO of GE Aviation. “We can create a competitive environment that will save the government $1 billion over the next five years, and $20 billion over the life of the JSF program.”

1. F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Flies in United Kingdom
2. 2011 budget will seek nearly $11 billion for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
3. Pentagon Aggressively Reviewing F-35 Joint Strike Fighter

The Pentagon’s forthcoming warplane, the Joint Strike Fighter, is intended for use across the different branches of the military but has come under fire in Congress for skyrocketing costs and delays. Skeptics and defenders of the aircraft, which will be called the F-35, express their views in the following extended interviews. Author and journalist Bill Sweetman says for the first time the re-equipment plans of the U.S. fighter force is reliant on one program and one manufacturer:

Chapter 3:
Former Capitol Hill staffer Winslow Wheeler says the F-35 was doomed from the start because of its three different functions and use by multiple services:

Watch Chapter 1

Watch Chapter 2

Watch Chapter 4

1. Chapter 4: Tom Burbage of Lockheed Martin defends the F-35 JSF from Critics
2. Pros & Cons of the F-35 JSF Chapter 1
3. Pros & Cons of the F-35 JSF Chapter 2

The Pentagon’s forthcoming warplane, the Joint Strike Fighter, is intended for use across the different branches of the military but has come under fire in Congress for skyrocketing costs and delays. Skeptics and defenders of the aircraft, which will be called the F-35, express their views in the following extended interviews. Author and journalist Bill Sweetman says for the first time the re-equipment plans of the U.S. fighter force is reliant on one program and one manufacturer:

Chapter 4:
Tom Burbage of Lockheed Martin defends the Joint Strike Fighter from its critics:

Watch Chapter 1

Watch Chapter 2

Watch Chapter 3

1. Chapter 3: Winslow Wheeler says F-35 was doomed from the start
2. Pros & Cons of the F-35 JSF Chapter 1
3. Pros & Cons of the F-35 JSF Chapter 2

Transcript below
JEFFREY BROWN: Next: to the saga of a U.S. military plane that was designed to do more for less, but is now hitting headwinds.

Congressional Correspondent Kwame Holman has the story…

KWAME HOLMAN: It may look like any other fighter jet at Patuxent River Naval Air station, but the Joint Strike Fighter taking shape here is the Pentagon’s costliest and some say riskiest bet ever on the future of military aviation. It has come under fire from both Republicans and Democrats in Congress.

MAN: I think the American people, if they knew about this, would be shocked about how long it has taken to do this plane and get it into the air.

SEN. CLAIRE MCCASKILL, D-Mo.: Somebody needs to be held accountable.

KWAME HOLMAN: A major selling point for the F-35 was, it would save money. The Pentagon plans to produce one aircraft that could be used by three branches of the military, as well as by America’s allies, instead of developing different planes for each service.

It would be stealthy, like these F-117s, and could perform a variety of missions, such as bombing heavily defended targets and supporting troops on the ground. It would be an airplane that could take off and land in three different ways. The Marine Corps version would fly off short runways and land vertically, like their Harriers do today.

The Navy’s would fly off aircraft carriers like their current FA-18s. And the Air Force version could take off from traditional runways, like their F-16s.

TOM BURBAGE, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company: There’s lots of second-order and third-order beneficial effects of designing a common family of airplanes.

KWAME HOLMAN: Tom Burbage is an executive at Lockheed Martin, the F-35′s prime contractor. He says that, by sharing common parts and production, the cost to build and operate the airplane could be kept low.

TOM BURBAGE: The whole purpose behind F-35 was to integrate those requirements and develop a family, and lower the total cost of recapitalizing the individual services and the coalition allies.

KWAME HOLMAN: The military’s current plan is to buy 2,443 of the so-called Lightning IIs for an estimated $323 billion, making it the Pentagon’s most expensive weapons program.

By some accounts, it could end up replacing 95 percent of the U.S. combat air fleet, much of it now aging and needing to be replaced. Plans for eight allied nations to buy more than 700 planes also were touted as a way to share the costs. Its supporters claimed the F-35 was positioned to become the future of manned combat aviation.

But production costs have skyrocketed from $59 million to as much as $112 million per plane, a 60 percent to 90 percent increase in the last eight years. Research and development costs also have ballooned 40 percent. The Pentagon blames the escalation on changes to the F-35′s design and production schedule.

Recently, at a hearing of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Missouri Democrat Claire McCaskill vented her frustration at top Pentagon acquisition officials.

CLAIRE MCCASKILL: I need somebody to do an estimate on the problems associated with this program. I need to know whose fault it is. This is too big to fail, this program. And we’re going to push money across the table. We’re going to push back timelines. We’re going to push money across the table. And I need to figure out, I think we all need to figure out, whose fault is it?

KWAME HOLMAN: Bill Sweetman, a journalist and author of more than 30 books on military aviation technology, says the Pentagon and defense contractors underestimated the challenge of building such a complicated aircraft.

BILL SWEETMAN, journalist/author: When the Joint Strike Fighter program got started, the people who were running the program — program believed very seriously that it was possible to make three versions of this aircraft that were simply different in the way that they took off and landed. It looks like the aircraft is rather more difficult to manufacture than they hoped.

KWAME HOLMAN: Sweetman says the version of the F-35 for the Marine Corps is particularly complex and problematic to build, and that leads to cascading difficulties for the entire program.

BILL SWEETMAN: The most difficult design by far is the Marine Corps aircraft, because it has a completely separate propulsion system that’s — that actually supports the aircraft when it is taking off and landing.

KWAME HOLMAN: Lockheed Martin’s Burbage acknowledges there have been setbacks, but maintains the original idea of building one plane with three variants is sound. He says the F-35 will be stealthy, equipped with the latest electronics to fly over highly defended areas, and will be easier to operate and maintain than the aircraft it is replacing.

TOM BURBAGE: Yes, we have had some cost growth and, yes, we have had some schedule growth over time. But there is a long-term proposition associated with this program that is absolutely unique. It’s not been attempted before. And it carries through into many areas, other than just the cost of development or the cost of acquisition.

KWAME HOLMAN: But longtime defense analyst Winslow Wheeler disagrees.

WINSLOW WHEELER, Former Congressional Defense Staff: The cost on this thing is out of control, but they’re pretending it’s affordable.

KWAME HOLMAN: Wheeler worked on Capitol Hill for three decades focusing on defense issues. He says the Joint Strike Fighter was doomed from the very beginning, that it will never be affordable and should be canceled.

WINSLOW WHEELER: We’re only partway through with this thing. We have another five years of, you know, testing and development to go. We have only begun to learn about the problems. And, so, by the time this thing is done, it will be a record-breaker in terms of nightmares in costs, scheduling, performance.

KWAME HOLMAN: Bill Sweetman says the recent skyrocketing cost overruns jeopardize the whole foundation for the F-35.

BILL SWEETMAN: The idea was, you have one airplane, you buy a lot of them, you bring down the unit cost. If they can’t do that, then the whole economic basis for this program is in peril.

KWAME HOLMAN: The Pentagon recognized last fall that flight testing, manufacturing problems, and cost overruns were getting more serious.

In February, Defense Secretary Robert Gates fired the F-35′s program manager.

ROBERT GATES, U.S. secretary of defense: The progress and performance of the F-35 over the past two years has not been what it should.

KWAME HOLMAN: In March, the Pentagon increased the budget and extended the schedule for the F-35, for the fourth time since the program began. Billions more will go to improved software and to flight test more plans, and the target number of F-35s to be delivered in the next five years will be reduced by a quarter, to 361.

Testifying before the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, Defense Secretary Gates said production and cost estimates for the F-35 long have been too optimistic.

ROBERT GATES: Part of the program that we have faced in this program is overly rosy forecasts by the program office itself.

KWAME HOLMAN: Officials say a new independent team put in place last year to reform Pentagon spending now is providing more realistic estimates.

MAJ. GEN. C.D. MOORE, F-35 acting program executive officer: Your band of uncertainty decreases over time as you mature the weapons system.

KWAME HOLMAN: Major General C.D. Moore, the acting program executive officer of the F-35, says the new cost estimates are likely to be more accurate than previous ones.

MAJ. GEN. C.D. MOORE: So, I would say that, 10 years ago, we had a pretty wide band of uncertainty, cost, schedule, performance. We have a much narrower band of uncertainty now. So, I would say, going forward, why, I can look you in the eye and say, let’s talk a year from now and let me show you what we delivered this year.

KWAME HOLMAN: But problems for the F-35 remain. The GAO says its hot exhaust may damage runways and flight decks on ships, and heat buildup inside the aircraft may impede its ability to operate in hot environments.

Such issues are to be fixed while new planes are being built. Hundreds of F-35s are to be built by the end of 2015. Bill Sweetman says that approach could lead to more cost and more delay.

BILL SWEETMAN: The risk is that the early aircraft you ordered have problems in them that you haven’t found yet because you haven’t done the testing yet. So,
it goes back, essentially, into another factory. It gets pulled apart and rebuilt to the latest standard. And that is, economically, a nightmare. It’s very expensive. It’s not the way you want to do things.

KWAME HOLMAN: Critic Winslow Wheeler’s prediction is more dire, that the F-35 never will be able to fulfill its mission, because it is too heavy to fight other aircraft in the air, but too fast, thin-skinned, and lightly armed to support troops on the ground.

WINSLOW WHEELER: The history of multirole fighters, even for single services, is terrible. They do nothing well.

In effect, we will be giving our combat forces a second-rate combat tool. They will learn to live with it. Some of them will learn to love it. Some of them won’t. If we’re lucky, we will never face a really competent air force in the lifetime of this thing.

KWAME HOLMAN: But the public confidence about the F-35 program expressed by the Pentagon and Lockheed Martin has never been higher.

TOM BURBAGE: This is not an airplane that we’re going to be flying today in combat. It is an airplane that our children and our grandchildren will be flying in combat. So, we’re designing — we’re designing and building an airplane for the future, not for today.

KWAME HOLMAN: Much more on who is right about the nation’s most expensive new weapon will be known in the next few months.

From PBS NEWSHOUR

1. F-35 Cost and Schedule still unclear for Australia
2. Chapter 3: Winslow Wheeler says F-35 was doomed from the start
3. Chapter 4: Tom Burbage of Lockheed Martin defends the F-35 JSF from Critics

by Nishi Gupta
KTVB.COM – News Channel 7
******

BOISE — As the government decides where to house the new fleet of F-35 fighter jets, residents decide whether they want them in the Treasure Valley.

The U.S. Air Force is considering storing the jets in Mountain Home and training the pilots at Boise’s Gowen Field.

Supporters say it will bring money and jobs to the local economy.

Critics are concerned what else will come in the tailwinds — noise.

A concerned resident held a special meeting Monday night at Owyhee Elementary school in Boise.

Monty Mericle decided it was time to learn about the F-35 training program and inform others.

His neighborhood is only a stone’s throw from the airport and the noise from F-35s potentially flying overhead has him concerned.

“This is the federal government coming in and taking the use and enjoyment of our property and of our homes and putting our health at risk and the health of our kids,” said Mericle.

The airport, which has been home to other military missions, supports the F-35 program but admits the noise could be a negative consequence.

“If we do get the mission and it is excessive noise there are FAA programs to help mitigate those things,” said Matt Petaja, Deputy Director of the Boise Airport.

With the F-4 jets that came to Boise more than a decade ago, the airport secured a federal grant.

It paid for noise mitigation to the tune of $8 million dollars to buy off homes.

“We bought out on a voluntary basis about 48 residents and converted residential to more of a commercial industrial area,” Petaja said.

The military says it’s not known how much noise the F-35 makes, but it is studying that.

In the meantime, they say they understand citizen concerns and are trying to be good neighbors.

“If we’re disrupting somebody’s dinner at 6 o’clock, we’ll be more than willing to move that to 5:30 or 6:30, if that’s the time that it’s the most annoyance to the neighborhood.” said Colonel Brad Richy of the Idaho Air National Guard.

We should mention tonight’s meeting was more of an informative one and opinions varied.

While the organizer of the meeting is not in favor of the F-35s coming here, some of those in attendance are.

One man said the jobs and the economic impact will be good for the Treasure Valley.

“My best job prospects are actually in foreign countries right now. So, I’d rather be there. My kids are here and they go to school here. I’m from here and I’ve been here 35, 40 years,” said Monte Jackson.

Local leaders estimate the F-35 training program could bring thousand jobs to the area.

The big decision about the future of the F-35 is expected to be made as early as summer of 2011.

1. Idaho hopeful for new F-35 missions
2. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Tonight in El Mirage
3. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Locations and Schedule (update)

SOUTH BURLINGTON — Air Force officials, responding to a request from South Burlington officials, will meet with the public in April to discuss the local deployment of its newest — and probably noisiest — jet fighter, the F-35.

City Manager Chuck Hafter said Friday that he’d confirmed the meeting for 7 p.m. April 19, but a location has not been finalized.

The Vermont Air National Guard base at Burlington International Airport is one of five installations under consideration for hosting the fighter, which is thought to be several years away from deployment.

However, Wednesday is the deadline for the public to submit comments for the Air Force draft Environmental Impact Study (EIS) — a document that will shape the military’s final decision in the winter of 2011.

A Feb. 18 letter from the South Burlington City Council to the Air Force requested better communication with military planners. It also asked for a fly-by of the new jet at the airport, so its sound could be compared with that of the F-16s stationed there.

Air show or no air show, Hafter is working to reserve a big space for the April meeting.

“We expect a large crowd, based on other hearings that have been held around the country,” Hafter said.

Public discussions of already high sound levels in several South Burlington neighborhoods — and an airport buy-up and demolition of some of the city’s noisiest (and most affordable) homes — have been emotional over the past year.

So have forums in other cities under consideration for the F-35.

This month, the Air Force denied Arizona residents a live demonstration of the fighter at the Air Guard station in Tucson, citing ongoing test flights elsewhere and a limited number of aircraft.

South Burlington residents, many of them communicating on Front Porch Forum, have been following the debate and linking neighbors to Web sites that confirm views, pro and con.

Some of those sites feature sound recordings made by professionals.

Gene Palumbo, a neighbor of the airport, said much of the information he’s seen online contradicts Air Force claims that the F-35 will be only “somewhat” louder than the F-16.

“Anyone who’s done any research on the Internet will find out that there’s a broad concern out there, and the Air Force hasn’t been helpful” he said. “We need more information. We’re all curious: What does twice as loud sound like?”

In response to online posts that welcome the jet, resident Linus Leavens made an appeal for greater objectivity:

“This should be a discussion about the impact of a hardware change, not a challenge to America’s sovereignty or a test of loyalty,” he wrote. “Patriotism has never meant blind loyalty to authority. This isn’t as simple as ‘if you don’t like it, move,’ or ‘it’s the sound of freedom.’”

Mark Dickenson had a practical question he said he can’t answer until he’s heard the jet: “If the F-35 is a whole lot louder, will I be able to sell my house and move?”

In tandem with gathering more information, council member Jim Knapp advised residents to submit their concerns to the Air Force before Wednesday’s deadline.

“Everyone on the council agreed that the EIS process is the right one,” he said. “We’re believers in the process.”

Contact Joel Banner Baird at 660-1843 or joelbaird@burlingtonfreepress.com. Read his blog at www.burlingtonfreepress.com/bairdseyeview and follow him on Twitter at @vtgoingup.

This story appeared on page A7 of Monday’s Burlington Free Press

1. Vermont Air Guard being considered for the new F-35 fighter jet
2. Amazing F-35 Lightning II Fifth-Generation Fighter Cockpit
3. John McCain confident Luke Air Force Base will receive the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter

The F-35 Lightning II is a multinational, multi-service, single-pilot fighter designed with first-day-of-the-war, precision all-weather strike capability. This highly survivable fighter will be built in three variants – conventional takeoff and landing, short takeoff/ vertical landing, and carrier-based. Overall, the F-35 cockpit is a generation beyond preceding aircraft, as large liquid crystal touch-screen displays feature color-coded symbology, pictographs, and digital information. Also, the head-up display has been replaced by a helmet-mounted display as the primary flight reference. The complexity of missions, sensors used, and weapons employed make this fifth-generation cockpit necessary. Advanced technology makes it possible.

Manufacturer: Lockheed Martin/Northrop Grumman/BAE Systems
Type: Fighter (Multirole)
Number Built: 1 (as of January 2007) 2,581 currently planned
First Flight: 24 October 2000 (X-35A); 16 December 2006 (F-35A)
In Service: Service entry expected in 2012
Notable: The F-35 program is the largest aerospace defense program in US history. Eight international partners comprise the program.
Photographer/Location: Tom Harvey/Lockheed Martin, Fort Worth, Texas

1. F-35B Lightning II (STOVL) stealth fighter today became the fifth F-35 to begin flight operations
2. Third F-35 Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter lands
3. A new generation of flight suits for the F-35 JSF

EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Pratt & Whitney has achieved initial service release (ISR) for the conventional take off and landing/carrier variant (CTOL/CV) F135 engine, marking another major milestone as the engine is cleared for operational use in the Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX) company.

“Achieving initial service release means the F135 CTOL/CV engine, with more than 13,000 test hours, has met all necessary requirements and proven the safety, reliability and performance of this product for operational use in the field,” said Warren Boley, Vice President of F135 Engine Programs. “I am so proud of the F135 CTOL/CV team and our partners at Hamilton Sundstrand, Lockheed Martin and the Joint Program Office for this great program accomplishment. We look forward to seeing the F135-powered Lightning II in operational flight.”

Pratt & Whitney has delivered 17 flight test engines, as well as the first production F135 engine, and expects to deliver the final short take off and vertical landing (STOVL) flight test engine early this year.

“The F135 CTOL/CV propulsion system has been certified for Low Rate Initial Production and flight operations,” said Rob Burnes, F-35 Joint Program Office, Propulsion Director. “I congratulate the entire F135 team on achieving this milestone.”

Pratt & Whitney has designed, developed and tested the F135 to deliver the most advanced fifth generation fighter engine for the U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps and Navy, as well as for eight international partner countries.  The F135 is derived from proven technology of the only operational fifth generation fighter engine, the Pratt & Whitney F119 that powers the F-22 with more than 275,000 operational flight hours.  It has been further enhanced with technologies developed in several Air Force and Navy technology programs.

The F135 propulsion system has proven it can meet diverse aircraft requirements, and the ground and flight test experience demonstrates the capability of the F135 engine for armed forces around the world.

Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.

This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities and operational engine performance. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in funding related to the F-35 aircraft and F135 engines, changes in government procurement priorities and practices or in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in United Technologies Corp.’s Securities and Exchange Commission filings.

1. Fixed price offer on F136 engine for the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
2. Third F-35 Lightning II short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) stealth fighter lands
3. JEC Innovation Awards in the production of the F-35 stealth fighter

“I have absolute confidence in him in this role,” Stevens said in a telephone news conference. “I have no intention of removing Dan Crowley from this program.”

Stevens’ comments came in a joint conference call with Ashton Carter, the chief Pentagon weapons buyer, after a two-day meeting in Fort Worth on the F-35 program.

After Carter and Stevens discussed the revised plan and budget for the F-35 program, Stevens was asked if he planned any changes in the Lockheed management team. Crowley, executive vice president and F-35 program general manager for Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. in Fort Worth, has specifically come under fire for the program’s delays and rising costs.

“I’ve known and worked with him (Crowley) for a long time and he’s very bright, talented and capable,” Stevens said. “I’m going to work to strengthen his team.”

Carter, undersecretary of defense for weapons acquisition, said the Pentagon and Lockheed “now have a realistic plan” and budget for fixing the F-35 program and getting development of the next generation combat aircraft back on track with minimum delays.

Editors Note:

Daniel J. Crowley was appointed Executive Vice President of the Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Joint Strike Fighter Program effective May 2, 2005. He is responsible for successful completion of the F-35 System Design and Development Program, transition to full rate production, and global deployment and sustainment of three F-35 variants for 13 military services in nine partner countries. Mr. Crowley has held several key positions with Lockheed Martin, including President of Lockheed Martin Simulation, Training & Support, where he led a 2700-person company focused on mission readiness and Vice President of Business Development and Advanced Programs for Lockheed Martin Space and Strategic Missiles responsible for strategic planning, advanced technology concepts and new business acquisition.

1. Lockheed’s F-35 program shuffled three executive positions Monday
2. Lockheed Martin F-35 Flew Just 10% of Planned 2009 Tests
3. F-35 Cost and Schedule still unclear for Australia

VALPARAISO — Valparaiso and the Air Force reached a settlement agreement Monday night in the months-long legal dispute over dreaded F-35 noise.

After holding an hour-long executive session, commissioners unanimously agreed to the terms of the agreement, and Mayor Bruce Arnold signed the five-page document.

Monday was the court’s deadline for parties to settle or come back to court. The settlement negotiations ended last November but faced a long journey up the chain of command. Now, the settlement needs one more Air Force signature to make it official.

Caroleen Swanson walked out of the commissioners’ chambers shaking her head.

“I don’t think they won anything with this,” the Valparaiso resident said. “There wasn’t anything in that settlement the Air Force wasn’t going to already do.”

But Swanson’s reaction was a rare one. Nearly 20 people waited for the decision to be announced.

“When I heard it was settled, I said, ‘Holy moly. They didn’t drag it out,’ ” said Ron Powers, a Valparaiso resident who decided to run for City Commission because of his opposition to Valparaiso’s lawsuit.

For months, many residents of Valparaiso and across Okaloosa County have questioned Valparaiso’s decision to sue the Air Force.

But many Valparaiso leaders, including the outspoken Arnold, have maintained they had no choice but to sue because excessive noise from the F-35 could destroy city property values, if not the foundations of homes themselves.

The Air Force plans to bring 59 F-35s to Eglin Air Force Base starting this fall, and the settlement says the base can still use the runway close to Valparaiso if necessary.

But Valparaiso leaders feel like they won, because they kept the Air Force from using the close-by runway as often as it wants. The leaders also feel they forced the Air Force to look at using more than two main Eglin runways; now the Air Force is considering other locations on Eglin reservation.

One resident asked about the status of the lawsuit between Valparaiso and Okaloosa County, which had sued the city in an effort to stop it from suing the Air Force. He was told the case is still pending and the settlement had no effect on its outcome.

The commissioners were then thanked and praised by a resident for standing up for the city. The audience applauded in agreement.

Valparaiso attorney Chris Bentley said the lawsuit settled Monday gave the city a voice and actually was responsible for the settlement of Valparaiso’s first lawsuit against the Air Force, the Freedom of Information Act complaint that gave the city all F-35 noise data.

The now-settled lawsuit, Bentley argued, proved to the Air Force that Valparaiso was serious and would not back down. Commissioners had instructed Bentley to pursue the suit but told him from the very beginning that they would prefer a settlement.

The Air Force agreed to pay Valparaiso attorney fees of $60,000 — much, but not all, of the city’s cost. Eglin officials will also convene a noise committee in which local government representatives can meet with base officials and discuss noise issues.

The agreement also includes clauses that protect Valparaiso’s right to sue the Air Force if the final Record of Decision adversely affects residents.

Arnold closed the meeting with a smile. He said the settlement was a tremendous step to relationships between the city and other municipalities healing.

“I also hope this will be a catalyst to settling the lawsuit (with the county) very quickly,” he said.

1. Major F-35 training mission criteria requirement met by Luke Air Force Base
2. F-35 Noise Concerns an action item for U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords
3. El Mirage Residents Support F-35, Future missions at Luke Air Force Base

The t

The operations at Luke AFB have impacted people from all walks of life and from every state in the nation. Since 1988, Luke Air Force Base has trained 16,270 fighter pilots to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon and graduated 9,071 crew chiefs. They continue to play a critical role in protecting America’s freedom and security worldwide.

The presence of Luke and other military bases in Arizona contribute significantly to the state and local economies. Luke AFB alone contributes more than 8,000 jobs and $2 billion annually to our state’s economy. Luke’s economic impact is especially critical in light of the current budget crisis facing the state and every community in Arizona.

Our jewel to the south, the Barry M. Goldwater Range, provides highly flexible joint military service training and realistic combat missions. Each year, fighters from Luke AFB conduct more than 30,000 air-to-air gunnery and air-to-ground bombing training at the 1.7-million acre facility located between Yuma and Tucson.

The town of Buckeye and other West Valley communities have revised their development plans and/or set aside property in the area to protect Luke’s training mission. Buckeye is home to many of the brave men and women who support Luke’s current fighter training mission. Buckeye is where their families live and their children are educated. And, we hope Buckeye will be able to welcome a new generation of F-35 personnel and their families to our community as well.

In addition to protecting our nation’s defense and being an economic asset to the state, Luke AFB has a profoundly positive impact in our communities. Base personnel volunteer more than 100,000 hours annually at local schools, churches, youth sports leagues and non-profit organizations.

Our Town Council’s recent resolution illustrates the unwavering support and commitment of Buckeye residents to Luke Air Force Base – for the current F-16 training mission and as the future training site for the new F-35.

1. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base
2. Surpise Mayor Truitt Supports The F-35 Training Mission at Luke Air Force Base
3. Davis County Commission Letter Supports F-35 Squadron to Hill Air Force Base

Joint Strike Fighter pilot instructors were fitted for their new gear Thursday morning in Nomad Hall during a press conference.

View a photo gallery of the pilot instructors getting fitted »

Representatives from the suit and helmet manufacturers fielded questions. They shared the number of measurements taken to fit pilots into the gear and safety measures taken to make the suits. They also detailed features of everything, including the socks.

But they would not talk prices.

“It costs more than your house,” said Bob Foote, chief technology officer of helmet manufacturer Vision Systems International.

Rumor had it that helmets cost about $250,000 each, but Foote would not confirm it.

The flight suits were a greater mystery.

Because they are being bought and produced in a small batch for the instructors than greater numbers as the program revs up, the initial cost per uniform is more than it will be in the future, said Dale Hensley, JSF support equipment logistics lead at Lockheed Martin. He did not offer an estimate.

Graham Robertson, JSF trials and integrated logistics manager for RFD Beaufort, helped design of the flight suits. He said a lot of money was saved on the project but did not know how much.

“We’re just engineers,” he said. “We’re just trying to tailor our equipment to the needs and we know there will be many needs.”

The suits will be worn by pilots from the Navy, Air Force and Marines, and student pilots from allied countries.

Each branch of service and country can tailor the suits according to its use. For example, the U.S. Navy and British pilots will fly over water more often than the Air Force. They will have options such as integrating life preservers into the suits.

RFD Beaufort took a flight suit already in production then made improvements based on F-35 specifications and trial runs.

Those improvements included tailoring the sleeves for safer ejections during an emergency and creating two different g-force protection suits that would keep pilots from blacking out in an emergency.

A pilot who tested the g-protection suits during flight demonstrations showed a notable improvement to current suits.

“When in the Legacy suit (worn flying F-16’s), he was fatigued after one display,” Robertson said.

The pilot then changed into the new protective gear. “After three displays, he was fresh as a daisy,” Robertson said.

The suits are manufactured in Ohio with material made in the United States.

Socks are sewn into thermal suits and create a barrier against water in case a pilot ejects and lands in water. Other garments whisk away summer heat and have coolants pumping in them.

Pilots will wear flame retardant undergarments that Roberts said would have saved thousands of lives had they been used years ago

“This equipment will protect and give the pilots a chance to get out,” Roberts said. “It integrates with the ejection seat and helmet.”

Fitting and issuing the gear is a two-day process that includes testing the gear in a cockpit to ensure pilots can function safely and comfortably.

The most advanced step in the fitting process is the personalized helmet fitting. A laser scanner maps the head of each pilot and creates padding tailored to the individual in a matter of hours.

The fit of the helmets impressed Maj. Eric Smith, assistant director of operations for the 58th Fighter Squadron. He said it felt like the helmet was suctioned to his head.

“They also have noise reduction. They’re very nice,” he said.

The technology in the four-pound helmet does not stop at the fitting. The helmets make flying the F-35 seem like flying an invisible aircraft. When pilots look down, they see the view under the aircraft. A glance to each side also shows them the view outside of the aircraft.

“It’s like playing a virtual reality game,” Foote said. “The plane helps a little. But I prefer to think they built the plane to the specifications of this helmet.”

1. Amazing F-35 Lightning II Fifth-Generation Fighter Cockpit
2. F-35B Lightning II (STOVL) stealth fighter today became the fifth F-35 to begin flight operations
3. The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Helmet Mounted Display System

Tuesday night’s meeting in El Mirage and last night’s meeting in Surprise each attracted big crowds of approximately 300 people. Luke supporters donning military hats, t-shirts, pins and stickers could be found everywhere at the meetings, which are being conducted by the Air Force to solicit input from citizens in preparation of the F-35 environmental study at the Glendale base.

Based on reports from other communities, such as New Mexico, Utah and Idaho, which are also under consideration to receive the Air Force’s joint strike fighter program, the Luke meetings are drawing record crowds.

“At last night’s meeting in Surprise, there was a line of people waiting to get inside the meeting room,” said Fighter Country Partnership’s Steve Yamamori, whose organization is working with 12 West Valley cities and Maricopa County to bring the F-35 to Luke. West Valley residents and others are showing up in force at these meetings to express their support for the Air Force to bring the F-35 to Luke. This strong support by local citizens is definitely going to send a clear message to decisions makers back in Washington, D.C. that Arizona strongly supports the F-35.”

Based on the criteria the Air Force will use to evaluate sites for the F-35 mission, Luke is well positioned to receive the F-35 and continue to serve as the Air Force’s “school house” for America’s fighter pilots and maintainers.
Local leaders know, however, that until a decision is made, nothing can be taken for granted, and they urge continued strong support from Arizonans statewide.

Luke has been training fighter pilots since 1941, and Arizona features the ideal climate, land, airspace and training rangers – including the Barry M. Goldwater Range in southern Arizona – that cannot be replicated anywhere in the country.

For more information on the public-scoping meetings, which run through Friday, or to register your support for the F-35 at Luke, visit www.LukeForward.com.

CONTACT: Steve Yamamori, Fighter Country Partnership, 623-882-2191

1. El Mirage Residents Support F-35, Future missions at Luke Air Force Base
2. Support Building for Statewide F-35 Luke Forward Campaign
3. City of Surprise Supports the F-35 and the Sound of Freedom from Luke Air Force Base

Residents are encouraged to attend one or more of these meetings and to complete comment forms that will be used during the process of the Environmental Impact Study conducted regarding the F-35s and the mission’s potential impact on the area. Residents’ comments are needed to assist the Air Force in making more informed decisions and can be mailed by March 25 to David Martin, HQ AETC/A7PP, 266 F Street West, Randolph, AFB, TX 78150-4319. Comment forms may be obtained at http://lukeforward.com/

According to Luke’s Web site, Lockheed Martin, the F-35’s manufacturer, in conjunction with the Air Force Research Lab, conducted an aircraft acoustics study on the F-35 in October 2008 at Edwards Air Force Base in California. The study concluded that the F-35 is only “slightly louder (less than 10 percent) than the F-16s currently stationed at Luke AFB. The study noted that acoustic levels experienced by the public depend on a number of conditions…. The Air Force is in the process of validating the study results.”

The Web site goes on to explain that the takeoffs and landings, as well as flight patterns and number of daily training flights will largely remain the same. Typically Luke’s training flights occur between the hours of 7 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. “Flights may occur on weekends, due to training mission requirements. Luke flies between 125-150 training missions (referred to in the military as “sorties”) a day, which can result in more than 400 flights over the local area daily.”

All area residents are encouraged to attend one or more of these initial scoping meetings and to fill out a response card. Visit www.lukeforward.com for more information.

1. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Locations and Schedule (update)
2. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Tonight in El Mirage
3. Fighter Country Partnership CEO boosts F-35 mission during SCHOA meeting

The Air Force proposes to establish training F-35A Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) training aircraft at one or more existing Air Force installations within the continental United States. F-35A is a conventional take-off, multiple-role fighter with an emphasis on air-to-ground missions. The aircraft was designed to replace and supplement F-16 and A-10 aircraft.

The candidate basing alternatives include: Holloman AFB New Mexico, Boise Air Terminal Air Guard Station, also known as Gowen Field, Idaho, Luke AFB, Arizona, Tucson International Airport Air Guard Station, Arizona, and Eglin AFB in Florida.

For purposes of this Environmental Impact Study alternatives currently include:

• No-Action – The No-Action Alternative evaluates the consequences of not bedding down the F-35A aircraft at any of the candidate locations. Analysis of the No-Action Alternative provides a baseline, enabling decision makers to compare the magnitude of the environmental effects of no action to the effects of the Proposed Action.
• Action Alternatives – For the F-35A Training EIS, each candidate installation is an “alternative” for review in the EIS. Environmental impacts for each alternative will be analyzed for the No-Action Alternative and in six increments of 24 primary assigned aircraft.

Visit LukeForward.com to download a comment card to fill out in the convenience of your home.  You can bring the card to one of the five meetings.  Comments cards can also be completed on-line and sent via email or through the US Postal Service.  It’s quick, convenient and vital that the Air Force hears from supporters of the F-35 mission.

Tuesday, February 23 – Pueblo El Mirage RV Resort

RC Roberts Memorial Building, 11201 N. El Mirage Road, El Mirage, Arizona Google Maps Link

Wednesday, February 24th – Communiversity @ Surprise

Thursday, February 25^{th –} Wickenburg High School Media Center

Friday, February 26^{th –} Wigwam Resort and Spa

1. F-35 Public Scoping Meeting Locations and Schedule (update)
2. F-35 Public Scoping Meetings in Arizona
3. Large Crowds in El Mirage Support New F-35 at Luke Air Force Base