The 62nd Fighter Squadron transitioned from the F-16 to the F-35A, becoming the second Lightning II pilot training squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz., in a ceremony there earlier this month, officials announced. “As we open this new chapter in our squadron’s history, we will focus our efforts on what we’ve been doing for three generations—training and delivering combat air power,” said incoming 62nd FS Commander Lt. Col. Gregory Frana during the June 5 transition ceremony. Luke stood-up the 61st FS as the first of six F-35 training squadrons in October 2013. The 62nd FS will begin receiving F-35s next month, and will eventually host US, Italian, and Norwegian conversion training. Luke bid farewell to 308th FS F-16s earlier this month when it inactivated to remerge as the 314th FS at Holloman AFB, N.M. Luke will eventually host a total of 144 strike fighters.
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.