The F-35 schoolhouse at Eglin AFB, Fla., recently launched its first formal F-35 maintenance course. “This is hugely significant for all services because we are getting our maintainers prepped for when we are fully stood up for F-35 training in the near future,” said Col. Andrew Toth commander of the 33rd Fighter Wing that oversees the schoolhouse’s joint F-35 training. Comprised of seasoned aircraftsmen cross-training from other platforms, the first class will form the future cadre to train students once pipeline courses begin. “Up until this point, we’ve been conducting small group tryouts . . . to verify the [F-35 maintenance] system is meeting the requirements needed,” explained schoolhouse superintendent SMSgt. Richard Brown. Pipeline maintenance courses at the F-35 Academic Training Center at Eglin are slated to begin in 2014. Eglin’s pilot syllabus is still in validation. (Eglin report by Maj. Karen Roganov)
A Defense Department team is on the ground in Ukraine assessing what the country needs to protect itself from air, naval, electronic, and cyber warfare threats as Russian troops gather on multiple fronts, a senior Ukrainian defense official told Air Force Magazine, describing an emphasis on what assistance can be…