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United States Air Force begins their their F-35A Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation 1209121.
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World
Air Force News - United States |
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United
States Air Force begins their F-35A
Lightning II Operational Utility Evaluation. |
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United States Air Force officials begin their F-35A Lightning II Operational
Utility Evaluation Sept. 10, an instrumental step in beginning Joint Strike
Fighter pilot and maintenance training for the service. Two 33rd Fighter
Wing pilots at Eglin AFB, Fla., along with two Air Force test pilots,
will conduct the review expected to last approximately 65 days.
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Lt. Col. Lee Kloos, 58th Fighter Squadron commander, prepares to exit an F-35A Lightning II joint strike fighter, after a successful sortie May 31, 2012. (Credit Photo U.S. Air Force) |
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"The start
of the OUE is another huge milestone for the Air Force and the program
as a whole," said Col. Andrew Toth, 33rd Fighter Wing commander.
"We've been preparing for this event since the arrival of our first
aircraft in July last year. So far, the men and women of the 33rd Fighter
Wing have proven we can successfully execute safe and effective flying
operations in addition to academic training." The 33rd FW has
flown more than 200 JSF sorties, both A and B variant, increasing pilot
and maintainer familiarity with the aircraft, exercising the logistics
infrastructure and continuing to develop aircraft maturity. These initial
F-35A flights were limited, scripted and conducted within the restrictions
and stipulations made in February's military flight release. |
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