Posted on October 18, 2011 by Fighter Country
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…
Posted on May 20, 2011 by Fighter Country
Luke Forward | May 19, 2011 – The United States Air Force announced this week that the release of the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (DEIS) for the F-35 active duty training mission at Luke AFB has been delayed until the fall. While this is not welcome news, Luke AFB remains well positioned to achieve our desired objective of securing the F-35 mission.
Posted on February 15, 2011 by Fighter Country
WASHINGTON, Feb 15 (Reuters) – The Pentagon on Tuesday said it remains committed to buying a total of 2,443 Lockheed Martin Corp (NYSE:LMT) F-35 fighter jets despite a major restructuring that postponed production of 124 airplanes until after 2016. “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…
Posted on August 6, 2010 by Fighter Country
By Elizabeth Jackman from Glendale Star on Aug. 6, 2010 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…
Posted on August 4, 2010 by Fighter Country
The Air Force got it exactly right in naming Luke Air Force Base its preferred location to train pilots to fly the new F-35 fighter jet. There is no better place for it. 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…
Posted on July 29, 2010 by Fighter Country
GLENDALE, Ariz. – Arizona’s local and state government officials, as well as the Arizona congressional delegation, are delighted with today’s decision that the Air Force has selected Luke Air Force Base as the preferred location for the new F-35 Pilot Training Center. 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…
Posted on July 2, 2010 by Fighter Country
The F-35 — cleared for takeoff 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…
Posted on June 19, 2010 by Fighter Country
