2013-09-28
Several hundred people gathered today in hangar 237 to witness the first F-35A Lightning II which arrived for depot level maintenance during a ceremony hosted by the Ogden Air Logistics Complex commander, Maj. Gen. H. Brent Baker Sr.
The ceremony addressed Hill’s key role in the depot repair and the F-35’s role in national defense by several different speakers which included Sen. Mike Lee; Lorraine Martin, Lockheed Martin’s Executive Vice President and General Manager of the F-35 Lightning II Program; Rear Adm. Randolph Mahr, DoD F-35 Deputy Program Director; Lt. Gen. Bruce Litchfield, Air Force Sustainment Center commander and Sen. Orrin Hatch.
Baker was the final speaker and gave the order to open the doors and unveil the aircraft to the capacity-packed hangar’s attendees. Other dignitaries at the ceremony included local mayors, Utah Lt. Gov. Greg Bell and members of the Utah State House and Senate.
The first F-35A conventional takeoff and landing variant is from the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron, Nellis AFB, Nev., and is in a prototype configuration. T
The Ogden ALC will modify the aircraft with a series of structural and systems modifications to enhance critical capabilities needed during operational test and evaluation testing.
“For decades the shared partnership between Lockheed Martin the Ogden ALC team has taken our legacy platforms, the F-16, C-130 and F-22, to the next level, and the same will hold true for the F-35 Lightning II,” said Lorraine Martin, F-35 vice president and general manager.
“This aircraft was designed from its inception to evolve through modifications and upgrades so that our warfighters can continually outpace their opposition. I look forward to what the future holds for the F-35 and am excited to see that evolution unfold.”
Litchfield also talked about this historic day in the history of the ALC.
“The F-35 found the right home for sustainment,” he said. “Team Hill will deliver cost effective modifications for this aircraft.”
The F-35 Lightning II combines advanced stealth with fighter speed and agility, fully fused sensor information, network-enabled operations and advanced sustainment. Three distinct variants of the F-35 will eventually replace the A-10 and F-16 for the U.S. Air Force.
Published on 9/23/13
http://www.acc.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123364216
In the video clip above, Lt. General Bruce Litchfield, Air Force Sustainment Center, discussed the F-35 and its support at Ogden.
Lt. Gen. Bruce A. Litchfield is Commander of the Air Force Sustainment Center (AFSC), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Tinker Air Force Base, Okla. As AFSC Commander, he ensures the Center provides operational planning and execution of Air Force Supply Chain Management and Depot Maintenance for a wide range of aircraft, engines, missiles, and component items in support of AFMC missions. He is responsible for operations which span three air logistics complexes, three air base wings, two supply chain management wings, and multiple remote operating locations, incorporating more than 32,000 military and civilian personnel. In addition, he oversees installation support to more than 75,000 personnel working in 140 associate units at the three AFSC bases.
General Litchfield entered the Air Force in 1981 as a distinguished graduate from the ROTC program at Norwich University, Vermont. His career spans diverse logistics and acquisition assignments supporting weapon systems at wing, major command, Air Staff and the Joint Staff levels. He has commanded squadron and group levels in addition to commanding two wings and was the Director of Logistics, Headquarters Pacific Air Forces, Hickam AFB, Hawaii. Prior to his current assignment, he was the Commander, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center, Tinker AFB, Okla.
2nd Combat Camera Squadron
9/20/13