Pacific Air Forces chief Gen. Lori Robinson has set up an “F-35 Integration Office” for her command, even though deployment of the fighter in the Pacific is still potentially years away. Robinson, speaking with defense writers in Washington, D.C., said the office will build on the experience of flying the stealthy F-22 in the Pacific theater, and begin laying the groundwork for a joint employment doctrine, since the Marine Corps, Australia, Japan, Korea, and potentially other Pacific region partners will also operate the jet. The Marine Corps has already signed on to participate with the office, as it will be first in theater to deploy the F-35, she said.
The six-week government shutdown did not affect the hours flown by Air Force pilots, a service spokesperson told Air & Space Forces Magazine—avoiding what could have been a major blow at a time when flying hours are already lower than they have been in decades.
