Pushing Boundaries

F-35 FROM PAGE 33

commander of Air Force Operational Test and Evaluation Center Detachment 6. “Th is opportunity to both assist Air Education and Training Command in developing F-35 pilots, as well as provide infl uential agile combat employment (ACE) data for the F-35 fl eet, was too important to pass up.”

According to Lt. Col. Joe Goldsworthy, 56th Fighter Wing chief of safety, the information off ered by Air Force Operational Test & Evaluation Center engineers “enabled us to enhance our training level by providing a precedent for dynamic off -station events typically not achievable in the local training areas on a normal day-to-day basis.”

“Typical student training usually takes place in an operating area near base,” Curtis says. “(Because of this,) students get very familiar with the airspace, threat locations and fi ght directions, which degrades the dynamics of the training potential.”

Taking those students out of a typical training environment and placing them into an unknown airspace “exposes them to problems they haven’t seen before and forces them to think critically rather than apply a predetermined solution,” Curtis says.

As a result, pilots used the F-35’s embedded training (ET) system, which allowed them to fi ght against simulated threats without needing physical threat emitters.

“Embedded training lets us exit our usual training environment, decouple from physical threat assets, and conduct missions without sacrifi cing fi delity,” Curtis says.

Embedded training also aff ords F-35 pilots the ability to replicate any current or emerging threat, and allows them to build tactics to overcome those threats.

Th e larger strategic impact of this mission was not forgotten among 63rd Fighter Squadron and 56th Fighter Wing leadership.

“Th is mission shows that the F-35 is strategically capable of fi ghting its way through heavily contested airspace in a challenging and dynamic environment, rearming, refueling and proceeding even further without the need for support from more vulnerable aircraft like airborne tankers or (command and control) assets,” Goldsworthy says.

Not only can they accomplish this task, Javorsek adds, “but we can do so successfully with inexperienced pilots. No other pilot could perform at this level without much more extensive training. It is great to see the 63rd (Fighter Squadron) leading as we transition from training fi ngers to training brains.”

Th is mission also demonstrates “the innovation taking place in our training squadrons will let us pursue adaptive basing and execute Lilly Pad Operations when responding to adversaries,” Curtis says.

Lilly Pad Operations refers to the idea of aircraft “hopping” from one location to another along a strategic route.

“Forward armament refueling points play a critical role in support of Lilly Pad Operations and allow our F-35 fl eet to operate abroad with minimal manpower, logistics or infrastructure requirements,” Curtis adds.

Due to the F-35’s multirole capabilities in all warfare domains, it serves as a node in a network of domain-agnostic assets, according to Curtis. Domain-agnostic warfare refers to the ability to create combat eff ects from any warfi ghting domain, rather than the traditional methods that tend to focus on platforms.

“As our adversaries continue to become more advanced, we have to change the way we test and train. By starting with what eff ect needs to

be created and then fi nding the right platform at the time of need, we enable adaptation in a mosaic battlespace,” Javorsek says. “Th at old, antiquated way of planning and training is essentially over. Winning the next war will come down to the speed at which we adapt, and these nontraditional rearming/refueling events help us fl esh out what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t.”

Aft er completing the mission, it was clear to 63rd Fighter Squadron and 56th Fighter Wing leadership that the mission was benefi cial to student F-35 pilots.

“Th is high-end training mission shows not only what our students can do but also the capabilities of our incredible support from ground personnel, mission-planning experts, and highlights our interoperability as a lethal team,” Goldsworthy says. “I am consistently in awe of what my Air Force is capable of and truly proud and humbled to be part of a mission like this.”

THANK YOU

YOUR SERVICE AND PARTNERSHIP ARE APPRECIATED The City of El Mirage is proud of the steadfast relationship with our neighboring Luke Air Force Base.

Mayor Alexis Hermosillo Vice Mayor Monica Dorcey Councilmembers: Roy Delgado Mike Hutchinson Anita Norton David Shapera Donna Winston That old, antiquated way of planning and training is essentially over. Winning the next war will come down to the speed at which we adapt, and these nontraditional rearming/refueling events help us flesh out what works and, more importantly, what doesn’t.”

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GETTING RECOGNITION

Retired Army Sgt. Maj. Anna “Lea” Seago says after serving the country, many veterans look inward, turning their efforts to their own communities.

But despite the good many do, it can be a thankless job, often without veterans getting the recognition they deserve.

“There are a lot of people doing things and they’re doing it in good faith and happiness, but yet they aren’t ever given an opportunity to be awarded for their service,” says Seago, chair of Unified Arizona Veterans.

The Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame (AVHOF) looks to correct that by honoring those who have gone above and beyond as members of their communities.

Managed by Unified Arizona Veterans, a nonprofit consortium of veterans service organizations, the AVHOF is accepting nominations for its Class of 2022 through March 31.

According to the official Criteria and Nomination Form, the AVHOF “seeks to recognize Arizonans, living and deceased, who have worn the uniform of our Nation’s Armed Forces and have made significant contributions to their community, state, or nation outside their military service.” This can be by way of “veterans’ advocacy or volunteerism, professional, political, or other civic contributions of a clearly outstanding nature,” the form continues.

“They gave back when they were in the military, and they’re turned in that way now,” elaborates Seago, who was inducted to the AVHOF’s Class of 2013 and is a member of the Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame Society. “They don’t ever give up helping people. It’s a lifestyle, so to speak.”

Illustrating her point that there’s a lack of recognition, Seago says the AVHOF was only the second of its kind in the country. It

Veterans Hall of Fame accepting Class of 2022 noms

BY CONNOR DZIAWURA Sound of Freedom Staff Writer