The recent stand up of the 434th Fighter Training Squadron at Laughlin AFB, Tex., means the wing is departing from its previous singular mission of turning out novice pilots. Col. David Petersen, 47th Operations Group commander, calls the activation of the new squadron a “great new step in developing a training continuum.” TSgt. Joel Langton reports that the new 34-person squadron expects each year to graduate 80 pilots—qualified to fly the F-15C, the F-15E, the F-16, the A-10 and F-22.
Secretary of Defense Austin Lloyd III met with his counterparts from Australia, Japan and the Philippines to discuss bolstering defense ties on May 2. The discussion included plans for joint F-35 exercises with Japan and Australia in the coming years.