Lt. Col. Eric Perlman, assistant director of operations with Air Force Reserve Command’s 69th Fighter Squadron at Luke AFB, Ariz., last month reached 4,000 flight hours in the F-16, a feat that only 30 other Viper pilots have accomplished. “The nonstop challenges of flying and continuously evolving tactics have helped me strive to be the best every day,” said Perlman upon achieving this milestone on June 21. “When I am finished flying for the Air Force, I want to be able to walk away knowing I didn’t leave anything unfinished.” Perlman began his military pilot training at Sheppard AFB, Tex., in 1986, flying the T-37. After completing his training, he went to MacDill AFB, Fla., to train in the F-16. Perlman, a commercial airline pilot, has been a Reservist for most of his military career. He instructs F-16 pilots. (Luke report by A1C David Owsianka)
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…