Ten F-35s flew from their training site at Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, for two weeks this month in the first test of how the jets, pilots and maintainers could move and operate from a new base. This first training “deployment” tested half of Luke’s fleet at Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada, from April 4-18. “Operating away from Luke has been a huge success for the wing, Team Nellis and the F-35 program in general,” Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, the commander of the 56th Figher Wing, in a news release. “We are learning lessons that will be hugely important for our pilots…
Staff Sgt. Michael Ensminger, 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit Staff F-35 dedicated crew chief inspects one of Luke’s 10 F-35s sent to Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada for the training deployment April 15, 2015. (Staff Sgt. Darlene Seltmann/Air Force)
