The first F-35 basic course students to come straight out of undergraduate pilot training will start coursework in December, Air Education and Training Command chief Gen. Darryl Roberson told reporters at ASC16. He also said the first instructors from foreign countries—Australia and Italy—are teaching students at Luke AFB, Ariz., and instructors from other countries will be joining them soon. Last week’s fuel line problems (which grounded F-35s in several locations) affected four jets in AETC, but the grounding will have “no impact on pilot production” because other aircraft are available for instruction flights at Luke, Roberson said.
The incoming head of the 7th Air Force will face an intense mission while relying on fourth-generation fighters to stave off looming threats from North Korea and China.