The U.S. Air Drive 502nd Air Base Wing hosted the 62nd Fighter Squadron, an F-35 Lightning II squadron from Luke Air Drive Base, Arizona, throughout their coaching go to to Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Subject from October 15-29. The 62nd FS skilled with F-16 Preventing Falcons from the 149th Fighter Wing and the 301st Fighter Wing, and T-38 Talons from the twelfth Flying Coaching Wing. The varied models practiced air fight maneuvering, the place fighters must determine “adversary” plane utilizing plane sensors and maneuver as a formation to win a simulated air battle.

“There are such a lot of models right here we are able to combine with. We’re integrating with the 149th Fighter Wing, throughout the ramp, and flying with their F-16s. It additionally provides the scholar pilots expertise integrating with completely different plane. Past scholar coaching, our teacher pilots can combine with the F-16s, working towards extra complicated and superior techniques which makes all events concerned more adept. The 502nd Operations Assist Squadron has been an enormous enabler for us,” stated Lt. Col. Tyler Smith, 62nd FS commander.

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U.S. Air Drive service members from the 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Drive Base, Ariz., conduct flight line operations in assist of the F-35 Lightning II TDY, Oct. 28, 2021, at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Subject, Texas. (U.S. Air Drive photograph by Brian G. Rhodes)

The chance to coach with the completely different plane right here is extraordinarily helpful and extra environment friendly, as coaching with F-16s and T-38s is considerably cheaper than flying towards different F-35s. Whether or not it’s the gas personnel, climate, safety, hearth division, or any of the opposite 502nd models supporting, Smith acknowledged how a lot the assist from the 502nd OSS helped his squadron accomplish their coaching mission. Smith acknowledges that this coaching mission has allowed the 502nd to work with probably the most superior fighter within the fleet.

The 502d Air Base Wing is a United States Air Drive unit that gives set up assist for Joint Base San Antonio. The 502d was activated on 1 August 2009. The wing’s three Mission Assist Teams carry out the set up assist mission at every main set up within the San Antonio space. The mission of the wing is to fulfill the wants of all three installations of JBSA, their missions, and other people and to optimize set up assist whereas maximizing alternatives for larger joint navy and neighborhood cooperation.

U.S. Air Force service members from the 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., conduct flight line operations in support of the F-35 Lightning II TDY, Oct. 28, 2021, at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Field, Texas. The 62nd FS will be training with F-16s from the 149th Fighter Wing and the 301st Fighter Wing, along with T-38s from the 301st Fighter Wing
U.S. Air Drive service members from the 62nd Fighter Squadron, Luke Air Drive Base, Ariz., conduct flight line operations in assist of the F-35 Lightning II TDY, Oct. 28, 2021, at Joint Base San Antonio-Kelly Subject, Texas.(U.S. Air Drive photograph by Brian G. Rhodes)