News>Air Force celebrates JSF arrival, rolls out nation's airpower future
Photos
Gen. Edward Rice, the Air Education and Training Command commander, speaks to the crowd of 33rd Fighter Wing members and state and local leaders Aug. 26, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., during the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter rollout ceremony. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
The first F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter to arrive to the 33rd Fighter Wing was on display during the aircraft's official rollout ceremony Aug. 26, 2011, at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
The honor guard from Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., brings in the colors during the F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter's official rollout ceremony Aug. 26, 2011. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)
by Chrissy Cuttita
33rd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
8/30/2011 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- Air Force officials said the unveiling of the F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter was a "historic occasion" during a rollout ceremony here Aug. 26.
The F-35A, on display during the ceremony, was delivered here in July by Lt. Col. Eric Smith, the Air Force's first F-35 pilot.
"This is indeed a new era," said Gen. Edward A. Rice Jr., the Air Education and Training Command commander and host of the milestone event.
The aircraft was developed in a span of only 15 years, one-eighth of the 118 total years powered flight has existed, he said. The F-35 brings advanced technological capabilities for the future and the nation's defense -- something the general explained was clearly unimaginable when Orville and Wilbur Wright performed their maiden flight Dec.17, 1903, at Kitty Hawk, N.C.
"While this celebration is taking place in the Air Force hangar with the Air Force variant of the F-35, this is really a story about the fully integrated team of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, industry and community partners who have been working years to make this day possible," said Col. Andrew Toth, the 33rd Fighter Wing commander. "In fact, Marine Col. Art Tomassetti, my vice, (today's master of ceremonies), and test pilot, has been with this program for more than a decade. So, some of us have been waiting a long time to see this day."
During the past two years, the integrated and multi-service team "Nomads" transformed their corner of Eglin AFB into the Department of Defense's F-35 Integrated Training Center. The center includes a university setting in which maintainers are expected to live, work and train alongside pilots in operating the fifth-generation stealth fighter.
More than 400 guests watched the JSF unveiling inside a newly constructed Air Force hangar, a place where a future generation of F-35 maintainers, pilots and leaders will learn their craft.
"Eventually about 2,200 maintainers and 100 pilots a year will pass through our schoolhouse doors," Toth said. "In 2014, the program should mature enough to have the Air Force send students fresh from basic training."
Delivery and success of the new program required the Air Force overcome a great number of challenges. It will continue to do so until the F-35 capabilities reach their full potential for the interest of national security, Rice said.
"But with all the wonders of technology and the amazing physical performance of the F-35, let me say that none of this happens without magnificent people," he said.
Wing leadership said they're already reaping the benefits of multi-service collaboration in co-located facilities.
"What this aircraft behind me is a visual representation of our exciting future," Toth said. "The 33rd Pursuit Group of the past is nothing like the 33rd FW of today, except in the longstanding spirit of air power. With the F-35 program, we foresee air dominance for our services and partner nations for the next 30 to 50 years."
Comments
9/4/2011 11:33:21 PM ET Unit price over 4 times what was promised in 2002 and counting. Now comparable to if not exceeding that of the F-22A. Around 200 billion dollars over budget and still rising. Schedule slipped some 8 years on what was promised in 2002 and still moving to the right. With all this, some folks wonder why we can't fund a CSAR replacment helicopter and other programs.
bill milligan, Wilmington NC
9/2/2011 12:30:41 AM ET I hope in my eternally optimistic way that this aircraft with its extended delay and increased cost per unit provides dividends in lethality. I hope again that the F-35 can help with the aging CAS and SEAD fleets as well as provide a boost to ISR, CSAR and SOF. In this age where most Air Forces are looking to modify their aging aircraft with modern avionics and modern missiles at a fraction of the cost, and an age where going unmanned shows multiple advantages in maneuverability and survivability, I pray the F-35 delivers. Godspeed F-35, our hopes, our expectations and our future ride with you. Don't let us down.
Nails, SWA
9/1/2011 9:47:11 AM ET SNCO: a great sage comment. But too obvious a solution as the politicos nor lobbyists, especially the air supremacy advocacy mafia, will ever allow that to happen. Agree we need to fund in your two examples as well as ISR, CSAR, SOF and UAS with greater strike capability. But I'm afraid leadership is unable to make courageous decisions in tough financial times and continues to yield to those who call themselves USAF advocates.
JAFSO, Saddle Rock CO
8/31/2011 1:43:03 PM ET Hope this one flies unlike the raptor.
Checksix, TX
8/31/2011 12:58:13 PM ET I see the F-35 aircraft as a very costly, over-rated aircraft that was once the hope of the future. But the years, costs, and performance has downrated it to what it is today, another F-22 ADC aircraft that may not ever be trusted to be there when needed. There is a lot to be said for having two engines on board. Whatever happend to the USN and USMC statement that there would be no more single engine application on board or in their mission inventory? The wise choice, which can only be driven by the management that is not influenced by the aviation industry, is to keep the F-15 and F-16 production lines open, upgrading the avionics and engines in them, with a resulting lower cost, higher mission yield per aircraft than the price tag of currently developing F-35 aircraft. Limit the production of the F-35 to the levels of the mothballed F-117 aircraft and save the budget for new refuelers and future bombers that are also in need.
SNCO Jet Eng Mech, USA
8/31/2011 9:19:19 AM ET How about telling us about some of the unclassified F-35 capabilities...
