07/03/2013: The Air Force announced that Luke AFB has been chosen as the location for 72 additional F-35A Lightning II aircraft, bringing the eventual total number of the fifth-generation fighters expected here to 144. Credit: 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs: 6/27/13 The Air Force's initial decision to establish an F-35…
2013-07-01 During a visit to the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Lt Col Renbarger, 58th Fighter Squadron Commander, discussed his role in the training of F-35 pilots and the impact of the F-35 on the evolution of the USAF. SLD: What is role at Eglin? Lt Col Renbarger: I…
2013-06-27 In a series of articles, we have looked the career of "Turbo" Tomassetti and his sense of the evolution of the future of USMC aviation. "Turbo" has been on the builders of the F-35 in the USMC in every sense of the word. From being an X plane test pilot…
[slidepress gallery='tomassetti'] 6/26/13 During a visit to the 33rd Fighter Wing, an exit interview with Col. “Turbo” Tomassetti provided a unique opportunity to look back on the career of “Turbo” and the way ahead for the F-35B within USMC aviation. A key part of the interview was provided by an…
06/26/2013: The bio of Col. Tomassetti follows but directly below are photos, which show moments in his career. [slidepress gallery='tomassetti'] Credit: The first photo is from 1986 at the time of his graduation from USMC Officers Basic School. The second and third photos are from 1987 and 1988 during flight…
2013-06-23 One of the missing aspects in discussing the F-35 program is its impact on innovation in the defense industry. A case in point is ITT Exelis which is opening a new facility, in part triggered by an F-35 contract. But the composites to be built at this facility has…
[slidepress gallery='the-f-35c-arrives-at-eglin-afb'] 2013-06-22 Today, the USN received its first F-35c for its training squadron at Eglin AFB. According to a press release issued by the 33rd Fighter Wing: The U.S. Navy’s Strike Fighter Squadron VFA-101 is preparing to receive the Navy’s first F-35C Lightning II carrier variant aircraft from Lockheed…
2013-06-21 According to ABC news (Australia) in a news broadcast on June 20, 2013, the Chairman of Quickstep Technologies argues that a key way ahead for Australian defense industry is in using the technology developed from past government programs and accessing global supply chains. TONY EASTLEY: We're broadcasting today from a…
