An advanced F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter taxis on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. arriving to the Air Education Training Command F-35 schoolhouse, May 6, 2013. The F-35’s arrival will be a major training effort at the schoolhouse, and allow all military branches to train on the newest platform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Egebrecht)
Maj. Matthew Johnston, (left) 58th Fighter Squadron, instructor pilot, shakes hands with Col.Stephen Jost, 33rd Operations Group commander upon arriving at Eglin Air Force base, Fla. with the advanced F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter, May 6, 2013. The advanced F-35 will be utilized by all military branches at the Air Education Training Command F-35 schoolhouse to train on new systems and software on the platform.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Egebrecht)
An advanced F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter taxis on Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. arriving to the Air Education Training Command F-35 schoolhouse, May 6, 2013. The F-35’s arrival will be a major training effort at the schoolhouse, and allow all military branches to train on the newest platform. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Egebrecht)
Maj. Matthew Johnston, 58th Fighter Squadron, instructor pilot, opens the canopy of the Advanced F-35 Lighting II joint strike fighter after arriving at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., May 6, 2013. The F-35 will be used in training all military branch F-35 pilots on the new software and sensors in the aircraft.(U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Nicholas Egebrecht)
by Joel Fortner
Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
5/9/2013 - EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) -- The Air Force took another step forward with its newest fighter jet when an advanced F-35 Lightning II landed at the service's lead training base, home to the largest fleet of F-35s worldwide.
The new stealth fighter kicks off a major training effort at the F-35 schoolhouse on an aircraft with unmatched capabilities.
The F-35 is the military's newest stealth fighter jet. Students from all military branches who are learning to fly the plane go through the schoolhouse at Eglin, including some from international services.
In addition to a few design improvements, the major difference between the new aircraft and others is sensors and software.
For example, pilots for the first time will begin training on a capability that gives them a 360-degree view around the jet.
Sensors that act like highly sophisticated cameras that can detect heat and other information are embedded in the front, sides and back of the F-35.
When in use, the pilot basically can see everything around them near and far, a capability not found in any current military fighter, said F-35 instructor pilot, Major Jay Spohn.
The system was designed to see other aircraft, people on the ground, missile launches, and more, and share that information with other aircraft and command centers on the ground.
Other new capabilities include a weather tracker and an enhancement of a system known as ALIS, or autonomic logistic information system, which transmits aircraft health and maintenance information and makes use of a portable computer planeside for the maintainer.
"This system is a game changer," said Senior Master Sgt. Eric Wheeler, production superintendent, 33rd Aircraft Maintenance Unit. "It combines real-time data collection and trouble shooting in one system, eliminating the need for carting out stacks of binders and paper forms to the jet, as well as having to dual annotate once on paper and again later in the office on a computer."
The latest system software, which has a better user interface and enhanced capability to download, is another step along the track in fixing problems in less time, which can be critical in time of conflict, Wheeler said.
The new F-35A will share the skies over Eglin's training ranges with the Navy VFA-101 flying squadron here, which is slated to get their first two F-35C aircraft later this month along with another United Kingdom F-35B assigned to the Marine Corps VMFAT-501 flying squadron, scheduled to arrive here in about a month.
Comments
5/16/2013 10:10:14 AM ET @ Operator - That kind of attitude is exactly why the AF is in the mess that its in. Every unit has a mission that SUPPORTS the overall AF mission...and EVERY person in those units plays a role in accomplishing that mission.Heaven help you if you ever become a Group or Wing CC with that kind of attitude. I would love to be at your first commander's call when you tell the wing 90 per cent of them don't matter or contribute to the mission because they are--support.
Gen Halftrack, USA
5/11/2013 9:31:59 AM ET Seems like allot know how to cut back where we can but the management are so deep in commerical pockets they have blinders on as to the mistakes that are being funded. Upgrade the current fleet like the C5M is being done and the KC fleet has done for years.Look at the F22 as an example it is turning into a B1 paper weight just like the F35 will become while the F15 and F16s support the mission. Just upgrade and re engine to extend the fleet another 20 years at a cheaper cost per flight hour.
SNCO Ret 89, SW Ohio
5/10/2013 11:31:08 PM ET DMPI could not have said it better. Need the tankers before the expensive toy that MAY work.
No Label, USA
5/10/2013 12:23:10 PM ET Do we need to replace F-16s Yes at least some of them. But our need for tankers is far greater yet F-35 isn't close to an F-16 replacement yet and it is sucking down resources faster than it can justify them. USAF USN and USMC have more than 50 of these paperweights and the training wing finally gets one with some of the mission systems. Can this one fly in the rain or within 25 miles of lightning Does the helmet work yet SAFPA and others need to cut the 'unmatched capabilities' propaganda since current F-35s haven't proved any greater capability than the F-86 of 60 years ago. More showing the taxpayer how great this aircraft is and less talking about it.
DMPI, Not on the F-35 bandwagon
5/10/2013 12:13:21 PM ET @Vaporhead - facilities are NOT the mission. Flying jets and killing people aircraft and targets is We should have Airmen cutting grass if it allows us to have weapon systems needed for the mission. Our senior leaders need to quit making everyone feel like whatever job they do is the mission. If you aren't flying or fixing weapon systems then you are SUPPORT. It's about time we quit being so touchy-feely-group-hug about it. It doesn't mean you are any less of a person just you need to know your role.
Operator, Everywhere
5/10/2013 10:01:02 AM ET They continue funneling BILLIONS into this weapon system that is flawed yet the AF can't give us any money to cut the grass on base. Makes perfect sense. We can't even cut the grass ourselves because AFMC locked us into some stupid Ability One contract. Our facilities look like they belong in a 3rd world country right now.
Vaporhead, USA
5/10/2013 8:18:11 AM ET I love how we find new ways to celebrate how far behind we are on this program. And now arrival at a training base makes the news. Makes me want to channel my inner Alan Iverson... what are we talking about here... practice PRACTICE We're talking about a PRACTICE Folks this plane has done nothing of consequence aside from disarm the budget and hog tie any and all trust with our blood sucking industry partners. It has arrived alright... stillborn.
Hooahhooplah, CALI
5/9/2013 4:15:57 PM ET CONGRATULATIONS Is very important to be in the Top
