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As Miller put it: “Though not officially part of DT-III, the Grim Reapers of VFA-101 put the state of the F-35C program in context – and made news of their own. VFA-101 represents a cadre of instructors and strike fighter tactics specialists who took this opportunity to carrier qualify so they can prepare the instructor syllabus for the F-35C.
12 VFA-101 pilots with 5 F-35Cs completed their carrier qualifications (CQs) in just over 1.5 days.
That is, as Capt. James Christie of VFA-101 described, 10 landings and 2 touch and goes each – 120 cats, 120 traps and 24 touch and goes.
As U.S. Navy Commander Ryan “Flopper” Murphy, F-35 ITF Lead said: “the greatest satisfaction was to watch the fleet (VFA-101) start to utilize the aircraft.
After all, that is the point of everything we are doing, all the years of work; to equip and empower the Fleet with the F-35C.”
After observing VFA-101 for a few hours, it is clear the equipping and empowering are well underway.”
2016-08-20 Todd Miller spent August 15, 2016 aboard the USS George Washington observing the seven F-35Cs onboard.
The USS George Washington (CVN-73) is hosting the F-35C in its final Developmental Testing cycle (DT-III) Aug. 14-23.
However, for a few of those days the two VX-23 “Salty Dogs” F-35Cs from NAS Patuxent River were joined by 5 F-35Cs from VFA-101 “Grim Reapers” out of Eglin AFB.
The 7 F-35Cs gathered on the deck of the USS George Washington represented the largest carrier contingent of F-35Cs onboard a large deck aircraft carrier to date.
The slideshow highlights some of his outstanding photo work (the photos taken from the deck which we have included in the slideshow as well were shot by a US Navy photographer).
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We have placed three videos on Second Line of Defense as well, which capture the dynamics of the day in the life of the F-35-C.
In the video below, the F-35C is being brought into its hangar to be managed by the crew.
The USS George Washington (CVN-73) is hosting the F-35C in its final Developmental Testing cycle (DT-III) Aug. 14-23.
However, for a few of those days the two VX-23 “Salty Dogs” F-35Cs from NAS Patuxent River were joined by 5 F-35Cs from VFA-101 “Grim Reapers” out of Eglin AFB.
The 7 F-35Cs gathered on the deck of the USS George Washington represented the largest carrier contingent of F-35Cs to date.
Media were hosted on the USS George Washington August 15 to observe the carrier qualifications at the onset of DT-III. All pilots embarking must perform a number of “cats” and “traps” prior to executing the specific tests involved with DT-III.
DT-III is focused on; validation of the aircraft’s flying capabilities with full inert internal and external stores (up to 4 GBU-12s and two AIM-9X on external hardpoints); handling tests with asymmetrical loads; testing for maximum weight launches at minimum power; evaluating all of these in a variety of wind and sea conditions.
As explained by Tom “Briggo” Briggs ITF (Integrated Test Force) Chief Test Engineer, there were additional minor tests to run through, such as ship borne evaluation of minor adjustments made to control laws (based on previous DT testing), and night launches to verify the Gen 3 helmet performed as desired.
Briggs made clear that the testing is to prepare the aircraft launch and recovery bulletins (ALB/ARB). These are the operating guides the Navy will utilize to determine the appropriate launch and recovery parameters for the aircraft given weights and conditions. These bulletins will ensure the aircraft can safely launch with the desired loads to complete assigned missions. Complete ALB/ARBs will enable the F-35Cs to be very combat capable as they reach IOC utilizing the Block 3F software.
DT-III is a significant milestone for the F-35C program and represents the progression towards US Navy IOC somewhere between August 2018 and Feb 2019.
2016-08-08 A KC-30A Multi-Role Tanker Transport and its crew from No. 33 Squadron (33SQN) visited air-to-air refuelling bases in Italy, and France, and attended the Royal International Air Tattoo, over the period of 5-16 July 2016.
The visit allowed personnel from other Air Forces the opportunity to tour the Royal Australian Air Force KC-30A, which is regarded as the ‘Coalition tanker of choice’ on operations in the Middle East.
The opportunity for these visits came as part of a task to transport Australian Defence Force personnel to France for Bastille Day commemorations.
The KC-30A is the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) designation for the Airbus Defence and Space A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT).
The aircraft is a military conversion of the A330 airliner, capable of carrying up to 110 tonnes of fuel without sacrificing space in either the passenger cabin or cargo hold. In service with Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and the Royal Air Force, Airbus also has orders from Korea, Singapore and France.
The Australian KC-30 differs from the RAF Voyager in that is equipped with the Aerial Refuelling Boom System, as well as two hose and drogue wing pods. The ‘boom’ allows the KC-30A to refuel fighters such as the F-15 and F-16 and larger aircraft including the P8A Poseidon and the E-7 Wedgetail, both of which are in service with the RAAF.
Air Tattoo 2016 marks the first time an RAAF KC-30A has visited a UK airshow. The RAAF last attended the Air Tattoo in 2006 with a Boeing 707, provided then by 33 Squadron.
The slideshow is credited to the Australian Ministry of Defence.
The first photo shows the KC-30A at the Istres Air Base in France.
The second photos shows Voyager KC2/KC3 pilot Flight Lieutenant Greg Shutie of the Royal Air Force (left) with Australian KC-30A pilot Ben Barden inside the cockpit of the KC-30A Multi Role Tanker Transport during the Royal International Air Tattoo at RAF Fairford.
The remaining photos show the visit of the KC-30A to Pratica Di Mare Air Base where the Italian Air Force 767 tanker is located.
2016-08-07 According to a press release issued on August 2, 2016, the F-35 completed its AIM-9X flight tests.
The F-35 Lightning II advanced its combat capability by launching an air-to-air missile and directly hitting a drone over a military test range off the California coast on July 28.
U.S. Air Force test pilot, Maj. Raven LeClair, employed an AIM-9X missile from an F-35A’s external wing against an aerial drone target in restricted military sea test range airspace.
Test data and observers confirmed the F-35 identified and targeted the drone with its mission systems sensors, passed the target ‘track’ information to the missile, enabled the pilot to verify targeting information using the high off-boresight capability of the helmet mounted display (HMD) and launched the AIM-9X from the aircraft to engage the target drone.
AF-3, Flt 230, Major Andrew “Stone” Rollins, Tanking for First Time, ISB Track, 4 December 2013
After launch, the missile successfully acquired the target and followed an intercept flight profile before destroying the drone, achieving the first F-35 Air-to-Air kill or “Boola Boola,” which is the traditional radio call made when a pilot shoots down a drone. Immediately prior to launching the AIM-9X, LeClair employed an internally carried AIM-120C missile against another target drone.
This target was beyond visual range and the AIM-120C was given a successful self-destruct signal right before target impact.
The AIM-9X is a short-range heat-seeking missile with an off-boresight capability for accuracy and features thrust-vectoring controls for increased turn capability.
The F-35 can carry two AIM-9X missiles on its wings. During previous test shots a self-destruct signal had been sent to the missile prior to it hitting the target.
“It’s been said you don’t really have a fighter until you can actually hit a target and we crossed that threshold with the first air-to-air weapon delivery of an AIM-9X.
This successful test demonstrates the combat capability the F-35 will bring to the U.S. Military and our allies,” said LeClair.
“This test represents the culmination of many years of careful planning by combined government and contractor teams. We want to ensure operators will receive the combat capability they need to execute their mission and return home safely – we cannot compromise or falter in delivering this capability.”
The missile test is part of a weapons delivery accuracy surge being conducted by the F-35 Joint Program Office Test Teams at Edwards Air Force Base, Point Mugu Sea Test Range, White Sands Missile Range and Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake.
The focus of the increased weapons testing is to advance 3F software testing, which will provide full warfighting capabilities to the F-35.
Other ordnance being released during surge testing include: Small Diameter Bombs, Joint Direct Attack Munitions and AIM-120s.
For our visit to the Integrated Test Team at Edwards earlier this year, see the following:
When I visited Williamtown Air Base in Australia last March, I was given a tour to the bed down of the F-35 at the airbase and the shaping really of a fifth generation infrastructure for the evolution of the Royal Australian Air Force.
The challenge put by the head of the RAAF is rather simple: “We do not want to be a fourth generation air force operating a fifth generation force.”
The same approach is being taken by the RAF and the USAF in the convergent efforts to stand up the F-35 at RAF Marham and at RAF Lakenheath.
Prior to my April trip to the UK, I wrote a piece which highlighted the challenge.
The question remains with regard to how the RAF and the USAF will leverage the close proximity of their aircraft to shape the most efficient and effective logistics support system to support and sustain the F-35 air combat force?
With the substantial similarity between the two aircraft, significant joint support opportunities clearly exist.
During that trip and during my visit to the European Air Group working group on 4th-5th generation integration, I met Lt. Col. Tim Trimmell who is based at RAF Mildenhall and works on UK-USAF issues within US Air Forces Europe.
We discussed briefly some of the USAF thinking in terms of how to leverage the strategic opportunity, but agreed to meet later at RAF Lakenheath to discuss with the USAF team the thinking and the way ahead.
In the interim, I was able to meet with Air Commodore Smyth, the senior RAF officer responsible for the standup of the F-35 in the RAF and got his very clear statement of the approach, the challenges and the opportunities.
Then this June, I was able to go to RAF Lakenheath and after the discussion with Col. Novotny, the 48th Wing Commander, I was able to sit down with Lt. Col. Trimmell and with Lt. Col. Vause who is the 48th Wing F-35 program integration officer and to discuss the way ahead.
Lt. Col. Vause comes at the task with a strong background with regard to evolving integrated operations having blended his F-15C experience in the Pacific with his recent experience in South Korea working integration with the Army Air Defense Systems, in shaping the evolving offensive-defensive enterprise, something the F-35 was built to become a key lynchpin of.
The entire approach the USAF is working with the RAF is to shape a 21st century approach to building an infrastructure which more tightly integrates training with operations with maintenance.
And the campuses being set up on each base reflects this with Marham having an Integrated Training Center with Lakenheath having the distinct possibility of leveraging this capability as well.
According to the two USAF officers, the concept is to have the maintenance and operations centers co-located within a campus like setting to allow for rapid combat learning and support for the data rich aircraft which the F-35 is.
Last December, USAFE and the RAF established a joint working group.
This group has met three times to date and will brief initial findings to senior RAF and USAFE leadership later this summer.
F-35 Hangar at Yuma. Credit Photo: B GSE Group
This will require a can do attitude.
“Let’s not talk about what we can or we can’t do.
What’s right to do?
Everything can be changed.
And if it makes sense for us to operate in a different manner, we change the written guidance to support that as long as the leadership is in full agreement.
We will have to break glass.
Applying yesterday’s procedures and policies to this joint effort makes little sense.”
The beddown of F-35s at Lakenheath is part of an overall restructuring of USAF infrastructure in Europe, including the closing of RAF Mildenhall.
As basing is changed, obviously decisions will have to be made about relocation or location of aircraft, with the F-35 for the USAF being the new entry into the basing picture.
But it is part of the moving landscape of USAF infrastructure in Europe being shaped for the decade ahead.
Both F-15E squadrons will remain at RAF Lakenheath with a clear opportunity to work the fifth generation enabled piece of air warfare with the aircraft deployed to the base on a regular basis.
An example of the new infrastructure are the new F-35 hangars, designed in part for its tron warfare capabilities
In fact, a completely overlooked efficiency in the F-35 program is the common hangar.
By leveraging a common design and improving on that common design as the infrastructure is built out significant efficiencies can be achieved as well as cost savings.
And one can see this process in operation at RAF Lakenheath.
Earlier this year, the RAF Lakenheath team went to Luke AFB to look at their latest build out of the common hangar as well as working integration of the ops and maintenance side of the F-35 squadron.
Luke AFB Maintenance Hangar for F-35. Credit: Korte
And the team returned with the Luke plans with the clear intention to replicate them at Lakenheath and to set up a similar six –bay hangar facility along with a similar simulation structure as well.
“We are not seeking to reinvent the wheel.
We are the fifth base to set up the F-35A and we are drawing upon the best practices in building the common hangar, but taking the latest variant with whatever tested improvements are being put in place.”
In short, the RAF and the USAF are taking up the challenge and seeking to shape a strategic advantage from flying the same fighter in the same airspace.
And to underscore again, the bilateral working group is looking at the whole gamut of relevant issues.
How do we operationally train and how do we operationally engage and how do we link up our simulators and synthetic training?
How do we work joint logistics, storage and maintenance training?
They’re going to have a lot of capability at RAF Marham with regard to training that RAF Lakenheath will not have, especially with regard to the maintenance training devices that the U.S. Air Force isn’t going to buy.
Why wouldn’t you seek to work effectively together?
Editor’s Note: According to an article published by the USAF early last year when the decision was announced with regard to the European F-35 bed down:
Jan. 08, 2015 — Two operational squadrons of U.S. Air Force F-35 Lightning II joint strike fighter jets will be permanently stationed at the Royal Air Force Lakenheath facility in the United Kingdom starting in 2020, Defense Department officials announced today.
A considered and deliberative process led to RAF Lakenheath’s selection as the first European base for U.S. F-35s, DoD officials said.
“This decision is just the latest example of the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom,” Derek Chollet, assistant secretary of defense for international affairs, said today. “The presence of U.S. F-35s at Lakenheath will lead to new possibilities for collaboration with the United Kingdom, such as the potential for greater training and wider support opportunities.”
The announcement was made at the same time officials released the department’s plans for European Infrastructure Consolidation, a two-year effort designed to ensure long-term efficiency and effectiveness of the U.S. presence in Europe.
Enhancing Readiness With Reduced Funding
The EIC calls for the return of 15 sites to their host nations in Europe. Divestiture of RAF Mildenhall represents the largest reduction in U.S. personnel among the sites, but it will also pave the way for the F-35 units at RAF Lakenheath, Pentagon officials said. DoD officials expect a net decrease of roughly 2,000 U.S. service members and civilians in the United Kingdom over the next several years.
About 3,200 Americans will be relocated from RAF Mildenhall, and that will be offset by the addition of about 1,200 personnel who will be permanently assigned to the F-35 squadrons at Lakenheath, officials noted.
“Taken together, these decisions on our force presence in Europe will enhance our operational readiness and mission posture at reduced funding levels, all toward the objective of maintaining a strong transatlantic alliance and meeting our common security interests,” Chollet said.
This historic flight that brought the team to the United Kingdom from Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.[WNJSUAAP1] , was a first for not only the Lightning, but the Extender as this was the KC-10’s first time refueling the F-35A, trans-continentally.
“Any time there is a first in the United States Air Force and you get to be a part of it, is a real honor,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Daniel DeRusha, 9th Air Refueling Wing KC-10 Extender aircraft commander. “Our crew is just like any other KC-10 crew they are all more than capable of performing this mission.”
The aircraft traveled to the United Kingdom in support of the Royal International Air Tattoo, the world’s largest military air show, which takes place July 14 through 16 at RAF Fairford. The event features joint, coalition [WNJSUAAP2] and civilian flight teams, aerial acts and static displays.
While the Extender is not staying for RIAT, the Lightning will join a P-51 Mustang and F-22 Raptor in a heritage pass showcasing the past, present and future of airpower. The heritage team will also be on the ground before and after the pass to answer attendees’ questions about the U.S. Air Force’s newest fifth generation fighter
“[When] we can be a part of something that promotes the capabilities of the Air Force as well as the capabilities of our integration with our foreign allies, is a wonderful opportunity,” DeRusha said. “Everyone on the crew understood the importance of that, and we’re very thankful that we got to be a part of it.”
For the lead F-35A pilot, this historic flight and opportunity at RIAT not only showed the F-35A’s airpower, but the U.S. Air Force’s in general.
“It really shows the teamwork that went into it; not only the logistics support, but the maintainers to the tanker units – it really was a team effort,” said Maj. Will Andreotta, ACC F-35A Heritage Flight Team commander. “Being able to go international with the F-35 is a huge honor. It’s something that we can now bring out to people and say ‘this is what the Air Force in the United States is going to offer in the future and this is what your country is going to offer as well.”
Marines with Marine Operational Test and Evaluation Squadron One and a Royal Air Force pilot with Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron 501 successfully conducted the first ever trans-Atlantic flight of the F-35B Lightning II, June 29, 2016.
The piliots highlight the ground up experience of the two services bringing the aircraft into operations, and the impact on interoperability.
