The Air Force’s 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., currently is under command of Marine Corps Col. Arthur Tomassetti while Air Force Col. David Hlatky attends a professional military education course. Tomassetti, who was formerly the lead government pilot for the X-35 test team, is the vice commander for the 33rd FW, which serves as the joint service unit slated to train US and international pilots on the F-35 strike fighter. Hlatky called Tomassetti a “superior officer” and said, “The 33rd Wing is a joint organization, so it should be no surprise that the vice commander takes the helm, regardless of service affiliation.” (Eglin report by Ashley Wright)
BAE Systems has received a contract from Lockheed Martin to install an upgraded Block 4 electronic warfare system into new F-35 Joint Strike Fighters, as well as to retrofit some older jets.
