Luke selected for USAF F-35A training base.

72 aircraft to be stationed to conduct USAF and some international type conversion training.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wire ... -training/

Andy

You read the news now see/hear the video:

Video: F-35A ROD Press Conference RAW 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
Video by Airman 1st Class Kate Vaugh

http://www.dvidshub.net/video/150825/f- ... erence-raw

OMG... Reporter fail at 4:30:

How concerned are you guys that these are going to come out and start crashing into neighborhoods?

Even worse, it was the FIRST question!

Dumba$$

Does anyone have an explanation about why Eglin was chosen only as an INTERIM training location and they didn't just pick the permanent location right off the bat? Seems like for a program that is trying to look fiscally smart that wasn't smart at all.

Eglin was the initial and International training site. Luke it for USAF and continued training.

Also, due to the EIS and community concerns, Eglin AFB will not be as large as was planned (number of training squadrons).

The USAF reduced they Eglin contingent from the original 78 to 59. I am not sure fi the USN has mad any similar reductions.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/ ... 5s_072810/

The original plan at Eglin was to train 186 pilots per year, which is not enough considering the US and international training requirements.

So it is safe to say that one single base could never have worked to fulfill all the needs of the various services?

No, and I do not think Eglin was supposed to be the end-all, be-all in terms of training, just the Primary/first.

F-35 Comes to Luke AFB VIDEO

http://vimeo.com/46925526

"by SldInfo.com 03 August 2012
This video from the USAF highlights the decision to build a training center for the F-35 at Luke AFB. The commander of the base discusses the beginning of construction of the facility in October 2012."

Eglin was the initial and International training site. Luke it for USAF and continued training.

Also, due to the EIS and community concerns, Eglin AFB will not be as large as was planned (number of training squadrons).

The USAF reduced they Eglin contingent from the original 78 to 59. I am not sure fi the USN has mad any similar reductions.

http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2010/ ... 5s_072810/

The original plan at Eglin was to train 186 pilots per year, which is not enough considering the US and international training requirements.

Spud is correct. But, to clarify for those unfamiliar with such things --

The EIS capped the total F-35 capacity at Eglin at 59 jets (a reduction from 103), thereby limiting the amount of sorties they could generate. Going forward, at some point 'sorties available' falls short of 'sorties required' and more capacity is required -- somewhere other than Eglin.

LRIPs 5,6&7 would provide the 70+ a/c for Luke starting in 2014-16. These would include 13 a/c for Italy, Turkey, Norway and Australia.

I'm on dialup speed again so just guessing that this video is good. Anyhoo....

Around the Air Force: F-35 Training Center

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuPIKr0s ... tube_gdata

"Published on Aug 6, 2012 by 3rdID8487

"The F-35a has a new training center at Luke AFB, Arizona. Available in High Definition.
This is the LARGEST military videos channel on YouTube! Over 1 Million views a month. Use the channel search bar or look through the playlist, or just browse to see more of the types of videos you like. More video posted almost every day."
___________________

F-35A ROD Press Conference

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=br3eal08 ... tube_gdata

"Published on Aug 6, 2012 by 3rdID8487
It's official, the F-35 is coming to Luke. Air Force Secretary Michael Donley announced today that Luke AFB has been chosen as the location of the Air Force's F-35A Lightning II pilot training center. Produced by Airman 1st Class Kate Vaughn. Also available in High Definition."

Why would you send 72 jets to Luke plus the 59 at Eglin before starting an operational squadron? Do you need 131 jets devoted to training with the current production schedule? Wouldn't it make more sense to equip and operational unit?

The Initial Luke jets are Pre Blk3 F-35s. The operational F-35s will come from the first batch of Blk3 F-35s.

Another thing to consider is that they did not say they were getting all 72 before any IOC jets either.

LRIPs 5,6&7 would provide the 70+ a/c for Luke starting in 2014-16. These would include 13 a/c for Italy, Turkey, Norway and Australia.

Sorry, not "would provide" but "could provide". I've not seen any resource dispositions for a/c to squadrons, released to the public.

As "Spud" has indicated force dispositions would be as available and required for force strengths. As of today, we are only flying the first 42 F-35s and any force allocations would only be "educated?" guesses.

I agree with his comments.

LRIPs 5,6&7 would provide the 70+ a/c for Luke starting in 2014-16. These would include 13 a/c for Italy, Turkey, Norway and Australia.

Something is not right with those numbers. The entire USAF production run for F-35As for LRIP5-7 is only 62. As far as for foreign F-35s, I am not sure what commitments have been made.

I'll have to watch that i hour presser again to look for details.