Posted on January 22, 2010 by Fighter Country
By Stephen Trimble A newly leaked document shows the Lockheed Martin F-35 test programme dropped even further behind schedule in fiscal year 2009, but the company insists it can still complete development in the “prescribed timeframe” in 2014. The report by the director of operational test and evaluation (DOTE) concludes that Lockheed is struggling to deliver and fly Joint Strike Fighter test aircraft on time. The delays could extend the development phase until mid-2016, it says. Lockheed delivered the first 10 of 13 system development and demonstration phase aircraft on time. The flying assets, meanwhile, seldom flew after delivery. The first…
Posted on January 22, 2010 by Fighter Country
Jeff Dempsey DAILY NEWS-SUN The war of words continued between Luke Air Force Base supporters and the city of El Mirage Wednesday, this time at the Sun City Home Owners Association annual meeting at Fairway Recreation Center. Though District 9 Rep. Debbie Lesko also was a guest speaker, the star of the show was Steve Yamamori. Yamamori, executive director and CEO of Fighter Country Partnership, extolled the virtues of the F-35 mission while also leveling criticism at El Mirage officials, who remain skeptical about the noise levels the new jets could bring. “I met with them right at the beginning,…
Posted on January 22, 2010 by Fighter Country
The Glendale Star January 21, 2010 By Carolyn Dryer Certainty and resolve stood out at the annual meeting of Fighter Country Partnership Saturday night; however, a word of caution came from U.S. Sen. John McCain. The senior senator from Arizona removed any arrogant attitude about Luke as the bed-down base for the F-35. He said encroachment is at the top of the list when it comes to evaluating for final placement of the military’s newest jet fighter. Encroachment will play a major role as part of the environmental impact study, which is set to commence next month. “We’ve got work…
Posted on January 22, 2010 by Fighter Country
Jim Click Jr. Special To The Arizona Daily Star When the United States Air Force announced last October that Tucson International Airport was one of the top five locations under consideration for F-35 Lightning II training, it came as excellent news for our community. The Air Force initially selected our great city for all it has to offer. In addition to year-round flying weather and Arizona’s plentiful training ranges, Tucson residents are proud Americans who wish to continue their support for our troops, who deserve the best tools and equipment to carry out their important work defending our way of…
Posted on January 21, 2010 by Fighter Country
By Andrea Shalal-Esa WASHINGTON, Jan 21 (Reuters) – Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn on Thursday underscored the Pentagon’s commitment to Lockheed Martin Corp’s (LMT.N) $300 billion F-35 fighter jet, saying the U.S. government and its allies still planned to buy 3,000 of the new fighters over time. “We are heavily investing in the F-35. A successful Joint Strike Fighter is at the heart of our continued air superiority,” Lynn told industry and military officials at a conference hosted by Tufts University and the Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis. Draft budget documents obtained by Reuters show the department will request $10.7…
Posted on January 21, 2010 by Fighter Country
F-16 makes hard landing at Wickenburg Municipal Airport From The Arizona Republic by Tessa Muggeridge – Oct. 22, 2009 12:44 PM Engine problems prompted a military F-16 jet to make an emergency landing at the Wickenburg Municipal Airport Thursday morning, officials said. The two-pilot crew on board was not injured in the hard landing, said Ian Gregor, a spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration. The F-16D Fighting Falcon landed just short of the airport’s runway around 10:30 a.m. because it lost engine power, Luke Air Force Base spokesman Justin Oakes said. The jet was not scheduled to land at Wickenburg,…
Posted on January 21, 2010 by Fighter Country
The Missouri National Guard is sending two airmen to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Arizona to support relief operations in Haiti.The airmen from the 231st Civil Engineer Squadron in St. Louis expect to become part of a larger civil engineer element that will help plan and direct operations in Haiti, according to a news release.
Posted on January 20, 2010 by Fighter Country
Beyond what these brave soldiers do in protecting our nation every day, their contributions to our state cannot be overlooked. Their operations impact our everyday economic lives. This is the untold, and often overlooked, Arizona story. Please take a moment to read the full article here
Posted on January 20, 2010 by Fighter Country
The future of Luke Air Force Base (from AZCentral) has been a topic of statewide interest for the past two decades, years in which the Department of Defense closed hundreds of military installations. Today, with more than 150 F-16 aircraft and over 7,000 military and civilian personnel, Luke is a shining star in the mission to train men and women to fly fighters. Not only has Luke survived several rounds of base closings, but it is one of a very small number of Air Force bases nominated as a candidate for bed down of the F-35, the aircraft designed to…
Posted on January 18, 2010 by Fighter Country
Goodyear, Ariz. (Jan. 17, 2010) – Senator John S. McCain attended Fighter Country Partnership’s annual membership meeting Saturday where he was praised for his ongoing efforts to support Luke Air Force Base and its military and civilian employees and families. He was recognized by the organization for being a champion of Luke over his many years of public service. McCain received a standing ovation from more than 250 members and guests in attendance as he was presented with The Wing Coin and Chairman’s Award by Brigadier General Kurt Neubauer, 56th Fighter Wing Commander, and Charley Freericks, Chairman of Fighter Country…
