Forum: General F-35 Forum

SecAF visits F-35 test program at Edwards AFB

http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123296441

4/2/2012 - EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (AFNS) -- "You continue to make history - literally every day - with the work you do here." These words of affirmation were given by Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley during his visit to the Edwards F-35 Integrated Test Force March 28 at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.

....While the ITF currently has six F-35 aircraft assigned for developmental testing, the first of 29 operational F-35 aircraft to be assigned to the Edwards operational test facility are due to begin arriving this summer. As a result, in support of increased operations on base, the number of ITF personnel is expected to climb to 1,700 by 2015.

..."What many people don't realize is that we deliver almost 100 percent of mission systems capabilities to the Air Force, Marines, Navy, and all of our international partners," said Schwartz. "Almost all the mission systems developmental testing is being done here, as well as the flight sciences work for the (conventional take-off and landing) aircraft, so we have a big responsibility."
...The importance of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter program to U.S. defense strategy was recently reaffirmed by senior Defense Department leaders. During testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee March 20, Secretary Donley told the committee that the Air Force remains fully committed to the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, which he said represents the future of the fighter force.
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