The Air Force has selected Maj. Jay Spohn with the Arkansas Air National Guard’s 188th Fighter Wing to be among the initial cadre of 10 active and two reserve pilots to fly the new F-35 strike fighter. (The Air Force has not yet released a comprehensive list. We reported on Lt. Col. Stephen Pieper and Maj. Chad Lewis, at Luke AFB, Ariz.; a report from Eglin AFB, Fla., has Maj. Lee Kloos among the 10; Maj. Ben Bishop, at Nellis AFB, Nev., is on the list, reported the Las Vegas Sun.) All the applicants have previous instructor time in the A-10, F-15, or F-16. Spohn begins his transition in December, training to fly the F-15C first at Tyndall AFB, Fla. Eglin is slated to receive its first F-35s in August 2010. (188th FW report by Capt. Heath Allen)
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.