The future of the U.S. Military Fighter/Bomber program is bright and the future of Eglin is very bright, as well. If you have been following the progress of the program and the impact it will have on the future war capability of our nation, you couldn’t be any prouder. This program and the facilities are without question, the Best in the World and guess what. It is in our back yard. I have had the pleasure of attending a number of briefings, some public, some not, and it gives me chills what it will do to our area. All I can say is, as long as we need to defend our country this program is not going away any time soon. With Air Force, Navy, and Marine pilots basically flying the same plane in the future, as well as a number of Allied Forces, I can see this program going into other aspects of our national defense strategy, such is this plane being used to test future weapons. So I will have to say again. You can be in the game of developing this community into something the world will have its eye on, or you can watch on the sidelines.
OFFICIALS SAY JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER PROGRAM IS ON TRACK
US Fed NewsJuly 29, 2011
WASHINGTON, July 29 -- The U.S. Air Force issued the following press release:
The Joint Strike Fighter Program Office deputy director expressed confidence in the progress of the JSF program at an Air Force Association breakfast program here July 27. The upgrades and acquisitions, particularly the completion of the new Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., training facility, helps to advance the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II program, said Maj. Gen. C.D. Moore. "The F-35 is at the nexus of concurrency where we are building production aircraft, conducting developmental tests, and starting to build a cadre of future Joint Strike Fighter maintainers and pilots," Moore said. "We're approaching the point where we (are) flight testing and delivering aircraft simultaneously ... with two at Eglin and four more in the works ... three of which at Ft. Worth, (Texas) are finished and ready to go." He also discussed the sizeable training center located at Eglin AFB. "The 33rd Fighter Wing ... has amazing capability that's been put in place and a 250,000-square-foot pilot and maintenance training facility," Moore said, adding that its size equates to about six football fields. Moore described plans for Pilot Training Center-1, a future facility where the services and their international partners will be able to train and interact. The location of the center has not been determined. The general reported that F-35 flight science testing is making good progress at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., and Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. The program is building mission avionics confidence with Block 1 software. Also, AF-6 and AF-7 conventional takeoff and landing aircraft are completing maturity flights to strengthen and verify the training syllabus that will be used at Eglin AFB. Building momentum and maintaining affordability will ensure the JSF program's longevity into 2035 and beyond, he said. "Flight test production roll outs are helping us build confidence in this plan and the weapons system," Moore said. "Now it's just a matter of getting into a good battle rhythm in terms of production rate." The Joint Strike Fighter Program Office is the Department of Defense's agency responsible for developing and acquiring the F-35A/B/C, the next generation strike aircraft weapon systems for the Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and many allied nations. The AFA Air Force breakfast program is a monthly series that provides a venue for senior Air Force and Department of Defense leaders to communicate directly with the public and press. Moderating Moore's question and answer session was retired Lt. Gen. Michael Dunn, AFA's current president and chief executive officer. For any query with respect to this article or any other content requirement, please contact Editor at htsyndication@hindustantimes.com
Copyright 2011 HT Media Ltd.All Rights Reserved
US Fed News
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Platinum Real Estate Associates of RE/MAX Southern Realty to be Featured at Local Trade Show
Platinum Real Estate Associates of RE/MAX Southern Realty to be featured at the “One Stop Shop for Real Estate” Trade Show” in Fort Walton Beach on August 11, 2011. Some of the Real Estate to be showcased at the event by Platinum Real Estate Associates will be Woodbridge Homes at Majestic Oaks Vineyard, new Townhomes at Arbor Lake, a variety of homes in the local area, available residential lots throughout the area, a number of vacant parcels in NW Florida, and much more. Along with Platinum Real Estate Associates of RE/MAX Southern Realty, will be H&S Title and Escrow of Destin, one of the most trusted Title and Escrow Companies in the area.
One stop shop for real estate
FWB chamber, home builders and realtors group team up for trade show
By DUSTY RICKETTS
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4448 dustyr@nwfdailynews.com
FORT WALTON BEACH — Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions most people will make. An upcoming trade show is designed to make the process easier and less nerve-wracking by bringing together all the parties involved to one location. The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties and the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors have partnered to offer the One Stop Real Estate Shop trade show Aug. 11. “It’s the first time that these three organizations have come together for the community,” said Ted Corcoran, president of the chamber. “You have the builders, the realtors and you have all the rest of the businesses in theory with the chamber. “There’s huge excitement in bringing the business community together because that’s really what we have. With the three organizations’ memberships, there’s several thousands of businesses involved,” he added. “The three entities together will certainly be the largest business organization consortium in Okaloosa County for this one-time event.” The trade show is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. at the St. Mary Family Life Center at 110 Saint Mary Ave. in Fort Walton Beach. The event is free and open to the public. The trade show will feature banks, builders, real estate agents and others to answer questions from residential and commercial real estate buyers and sellers.
Alan Baggett, executive vice president of the Building Industry Association, said the show will offer one location where builders can have a booth to display what they are building and have available, banks can show off their foreclosed inventory and real estate agents can show what they have available. “It’s kind of a unique animal,” Baggett said. “I don’t know if this has really ever been done before.
“I’m very excited that three organizations that are so different have come together and are working so well together,” he added. “That’s been very evident.”
One stop shop for real estate
FWB chamber, home builders and realtors group team up for trade show
By DUSTY RICKETTS
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4448 dustyr@nwfdailynews.com
FORT WALTON BEACH — Buying or selling a home is one of the biggest decisions most people will make. An upcoming trade show is designed to make the process easier and less nerve-wracking by bringing together all the parties involved to one location. The Greater Fort Walton Beach Chamber of Commerce, the Building Industry Association of Okaloosa and Walton Counties and the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors have partnered to offer the One Stop Real Estate Shop trade show Aug. 11. “It’s the first time that these three organizations have come together for the community,” said Ted Corcoran, president of the chamber. “You have the builders, the realtors and you have all the rest of the businesses in theory with the chamber. “There’s huge excitement in bringing the business community together because that’s really what we have. With the three organizations’ memberships, there’s several thousands of businesses involved,” he added. “The three entities together will certainly be the largest business organization consortium in Okaloosa County for this one-time event.” The trade show is scheduled from 4 to 8 p.m. at the St. Mary Family Life Center at 110 Saint Mary Ave. in Fort Walton Beach. The event is free and open to the public. The trade show will feature banks, builders, real estate agents and others to answer questions from residential and commercial real estate buyers and sellers.
Alan Baggett, executive vice president of the Building Industry Association, said the show will offer one location where builders can have a booth to display what they are building and have available, banks can show off their foreclosed inventory and real estate agents can show what they have available. “It’s kind of a unique animal,” Baggett said. “I don’t know if this has really ever been done before.
“I’m very excited that three organizations that are so different have come together and are working so well together,” he added. “That’s been very evident.”
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
SECOND F-35 JOINT STRIKE FIGHTER LANDS AT EGLIN AFB
Marine pilot brings second JSF to Eglin and new Commanding Officer of the Maintenance Group for JSF takes over command.
On July 21, 2011, Marine Maj. Joseph Bachmann, of the 33rd Operations Group lands the second F-35 at Eglin AFB with plans of six F-35’s being at Eglin AFB by the end of the year. Not only did the second F-35 arrive, the new Commander, Col Mark Fluter took over command of the Maintenance Group responsible of maintaining the F-35 on July 25, 2011. With the said, and most of the hundreds of million dollars F-35 training facility almost completed, it is quite obvious this program is alive and well and moving forward. As always, there is more POSITIVE news on the way, however it must be released in its due time.
On July 21, 2011, Marine Maj. Joseph Bachmann, of the 33rd Operations Group lands the second F-35 at Eglin AFB with plans of six F-35’s being at Eglin AFB by the end of the year. Not only did the second F-35 arrive, the new Commander, Col Mark Fluter took over command of the Maintenance Group responsible of maintaining the F-35 on July 25, 2011. With the said, and most of the hundreds of million dollars F-35 training facility almost completed, it is quite obvious this program is alive and well and moving forward. As always, there is more POSITIVE news on the way, however it must be released in its due time.
Friday, July 22, 2011
NW FLORIDA MILITARY INSTALLATIONS TO RECEIVE MORE CONSTRUCTION MONEY
As I noted before, Eglin AFB and the surrounding military installations are in the crosshairs of the military. Reasons are, the new F-35 Training Program, Special Operations Units of the Air Force and Army here now, and the strategic location of our military installations, which brings cost efficiencies in the military budget. In a recent briefing with the retiring Secretary of Defense, he noted with the climatic of reducing the military budget, two of the most important programs needed in our national defense, is the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and Special Operations. Guess what folks, what are the two most significant programs moved to our area. All I can say, you haven’t seen nothing yet.
Local installations in line for $85.5 million in military construction funds
Mona Moore
2011-07-21 19:36:31
The House and Senate have passed military construction bills that will send $85.5 million to local installations in the next fiscal year. “These projects will give a boost to the local economy and help our military immensely,” said Sen. Bill Nelson in an email to the Daily News. The Senate approved its funding bill Thursday. The House passed its legislation last month. The spending plan, which includes military construction funds for bases and airports throughout the country, still must receive final approval.“Now, both the House and Senate versions of the construction bill will head to conference to reconcile differences. Once that’s done, a final version will have to go back to each chamber for approval before heading to the President,” said Bryan Gulley, a member of Nelson’s staff. None of the differences include local projects. Because the House and Senate bills allocated the same amount of funds, the local spending is not up for discussion and will be included in the final bill that reaches President Barack Obama. Most of Eglin Air Force Base’s funds are for Special Operations Forces. The Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) cantonment will soon have its own medical clinic to save troops the 20-mile drive to Eglin’s base hospital. Congress allocated $11.6 million to provide lab, pharmacy, radiology, physical therapy, dental, behavioral health, audiology and optometry services at the clinic. The spending plan also includes $40 million to build two company operations facilities and finish a third building for the 7th Special Forces. Nearly $10 million will be directed to Air Force Special Operations forces at Hurlburt Field. About $3.2 million will pay for two “hush houses,” soundproof buildings to be used for maintenance work on Hurlburt Field’s C-130 fleet. The other $6.3 million will buy simulators for the Aviation Foreign Internal Defense squadron training. Whiting Field in Santa Rosa County is set to receive more than $24 million. The biggest chunk, $20.6 million, will pay for an Explosive Ordinance Device instruction facility. The rest will fund a 600-gallon-per-minute, two-position unloading station to replace the current 50-year-old facility, which “is in poor condition and lacks impervious spill containment pavements, adequate fuel filtration and safety features,” according to a brief from Nelson’s staff.
Local installations in line for $85.5 million in military construction funds
Mona Moore
2011-07-21 19:36:31
The House and Senate have passed military construction bills that will send $85.5 million to local installations in the next fiscal year. “These projects will give a boost to the local economy and help our military immensely,” said Sen. Bill Nelson in an email to the Daily News. The Senate approved its funding bill Thursday. The House passed its legislation last month. The spending plan, which includes military construction funds for bases and airports throughout the country, still must receive final approval.“Now, both the House and Senate versions of the construction bill will head to conference to reconcile differences. Once that’s done, a final version will have to go back to each chamber for approval before heading to the President,” said Bryan Gulley, a member of Nelson’s staff. None of the differences include local projects. Because the House and Senate bills allocated the same amount of funds, the local spending is not up for discussion and will be included in the final bill that reaches President Barack Obama. Most of Eglin Air Force Base’s funds are for Special Operations Forces. The Army 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) cantonment will soon have its own medical clinic to save troops the 20-mile drive to Eglin’s base hospital. Congress allocated $11.6 million to provide lab, pharmacy, radiology, physical therapy, dental, behavioral health, audiology and optometry services at the clinic. The spending plan also includes $40 million to build two company operations facilities and finish a third building for the 7th Special Forces. Nearly $10 million will be directed to Air Force Special Operations forces at Hurlburt Field. About $3.2 million will pay for two “hush houses,” soundproof buildings to be used for maintenance work on Hurlburt Field’s C-130 fleet. The other $6.3 million will buy simulators for the Aviation Foreign Internal Defense squadron training. Whiting Field in Santa Rosa County is set to receive more than $24 million. The biggest chunk, $20.6 million, will pay for an Explosive Ordinance Device instruction facility. The rest will fund a 600-gallon-per-minute, two-position unloading station to replace the current 50-year-old facility, which “is in poor condition and lacks impervious spill containment pavements, adequate fuel filtration and safety features,” according to a brief from Nelson’s staff.
Thursday, July 21, 2011
OKALOOSA/WALTON COUNTY HOME/CONDO SALES UP BETWEEN 16% TO 109% IN JUNE 2011 OVER JUNE 2010
Folks, this phenomenon is not going to stop anytime soon. Many of the newly assigned personnel are having to wait for homes to be built, as the national and local home builders are working diligently to keep pace. In many cases, the local builder’s have said they could be building more because of pre-sales, however the lenders are unable or unwilling to fund. I can assure you, there are many buyers looking for quality NEW homes in quality neighborhoods and are willing to wait because of their circumstances allows it. Oh yea, during this time period, the military housing inventory was drastically reduced based on NEW criteria in supply homes on base. SUPPLY AND DEMAND. Can’t explain it anymore.
I warned everyone about this phenomenon, and it is not going to stop anytime soon. There is many more factors in the planning which will fuel the fire. If you have any questions or thoughts, give me a call.
Real estate market mixed
Sales in Okaloosa and Walton increased in June over last year while Santa Rosa sagged
By DUSTY RICKETTS
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4448 dricketts@nwfdailynews.com
The roller coaster that is the local real estate market had more ups and downs in June, but overall local real estate agents are optimistic about the numbers and the future. Metro Market Trends released its June sales reports for Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties earlier this week. The number of single-family homes and condominiums sold in Okaloosa and Walton counties increased compared to sales from June 2010, but Santa Rosa County lagged behind sales from a year ago. “It’s exactly what I’ve kept saying, it’s going to be a great year,” said Jean Floyd, a local Realtor and president of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors. “We’ve got so much happening in our area economically. With the 7th Special Forces and the F-35, it’s hard to say anything bad about what the housing market hopefully is going to be doing over the next two to three years. I feel like we’re in a recovery mode, still.” In Okaloosa County, 352 single-family homes were sold in June, an increase of almost 17 percent compared to the previous year. Condominium and townhome sales were up more than 54 percent. Walton County had an even larger increase, with single-family home sales jumping more 57 percent and condominium and townhome sales improving more than 109 percent. “I think people are getting more confident and realizing that we are such an affordable resort community when you compare to South Florida,” Floyd said. “We’re still a very affordable resort community.” Single-family home sales and condominium/townhome sales were both down about 8 percent in June in Santa Rosa County. Angela Campbell, association executive for the Navarre Area Board of Realtors, said Navarre’s numbers often are skewed by sales in the north end of the county. “All in all it’s still a promising market,” Campbell wrote in an email. “Agents are reporting heightened activity and traffic to our website, www. navarrehomesonline.com , is increasing exponentially.” However, real estate values continued to fluctuate in June.
According to Metro Market Trends, in Okaloosa and Walton counties the average sale price for condominiums and townhomes increased by 25 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. At the same time, the average price for a single-family home dropped 2.6 percent The average price of each home sold in Okaloosa County in June was $211,952, a slight decrease from June 2010, when the average home sold for $217,558. Condo/townhome values were up 25 percent, from $191,457 in 2010 to $240,956 last month. In Walton County, the average single-family home sold for $397,694, a 15 percent decrease from 2010, when the average home sold for $468,392. Condo/ townhome values in Walton County were $295,324, a 6.5 percent increase from 2010. That trend was reversed in Santa Rosa County, where the average single-family home price increased 4.2 percent and the average condominium/townhome sold for 17 percent less. The average single-family home sold for $186,420 in June and the average price for a condo/ townhome was $169,318.
I warned everyone about this phenomenon, and it is not going to stop anytime soon. There is many more factors in the planning which will fuel the fire. If you have any questions or thoughts, give me a call.
Real estate market mixed
Sales in Okaloosa and Walton increased in June over last year while Santa Rosa sagged
By DUSTY RICKETTS
Northwest Florida Daily News 315-4448 dricketts@nwfdailynews.com
The roller coaster that is the local real estate market had more ups and downs in June, but overall local real estate agents are optimistic about the numbers and the future. Metro Market Trends released its June sales reports for Okaloosa, Santa Rosa and Walton counties earlier this week. The number of single-family homes and condominiums sold in Okaloosa and Walton counties increased compared to sales from June 2010, but Santa Rosa County lagged behind sales from a year ago. “It’s exactly what I’ve kept saying, it’s going to be a great year,” said Jean Floyd, a local Realtor and president of the Emerald Coast Association of Realtors. “We’ve got so much happening in our area economically. With the 7th Special Forces and the F-35, it’s hard to say anything bad about what the housing market hopefully is going to be doing over the next two to three years. I feel like we’re in a recovery mode, still.” In Okaloosa County, 352 single-family homes were sold in June, an increase of almost 17 percent compared to the previous year. Condominium and townhome sales were up more than 54 percent. Walton County had an even larger increase, with single-family home sales jumping more 57 percent and condominium and townhome sales improving more than 109 percent. “I think people are getting more confident and realizing that we are such an affordable resort community when you compare to South Florida,” Floyd said. “We’re still a very affordable resort community.” Single-family home sales and condominium/townhome sales were both down about 8 percent in June in Santa Rosa County. Angela Campbell, association executive for the Navarre Area Board of Realtors, said Navarre’s numbers often are skewed by sales in the north end of the county. “All in all it’s still a promising market,” Campbell wrote in an email. “Agents are reporting heightened activity and traffic to our website, www. navarrehomesonline.com , is increasing exponentially.” However, real estate values continued to fluctuate in June.
According to Metro Market Trends, in Okaloosa and Walton counties the average sale price for condominiums and townhomes increased by 25 percent and 6.5 percent, respectively. At the same time, the average price for a single-family home dropped 2.6 percent The average price of each home sold in Okaloosa County in June was $211,952, a slight decrease from June 2010, when the average home sold for $217,558. Condo/townhome values were up 25 percent, from $191,457 in 2010 to $240,956 last month. In Walton County, the average single-family home sold for $397,694, a 15 percent decrease from 2010, when the average home sold for $468,392. Condo/ townhome values in Walton County were $295,324, a 6.5 percent increase from 2010. That trend was reversed in Santa Rosa County, where the average single-family home price increased 4.2 percent and the average condominium/townhome sold for 17 percent less. The average single-family home sold for $186,420 in June and the average price for a condo/ townhome was $169,318.
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
FAMU PHARMACY SCHOOL TO BEGIN CONSTRUCTION IN CRESTVIEW
The next step in making Crestview Florida into a College town, as well, is on the its way, with the construction of the school and enrollment for the 2012 underway. This is the first step planned for FAMU and some of the other Universities in town, who are working on their expansions in the Crestview market. It only made sense, with the massive growth of the military and aerospace industries, and the location on the I-10 corridor, Crestview would be a target for initiatives, such as this one and others.
Work on FAMU pharmacy school ready to begin
Classes are scheduled to start in Crestview in fall 2012
By BRIAN HUGHES
Florida Freedom Newspapers
CRESTVIEW — The chain link construction fence along the Woodruff Avenue side of the Alatex building has generated excitement among city officials eager to see work begin to transform the landmark into a new pharmacy school for Florida A&M University. After several false starts, including a scare earlier this year when it was thought Gov. Rick Scott might veto funding for the construction, work is expected to begin within two weeks. “We have submitted building plans to the city and expect to pull permits this week in order to begin brickwork immediately,” said Tola Thompson, FAMU’s director of government relations. “We have received building plans,” Crestview Administrative Services Director Mike Wing confirmed. “We’re in the process of reviewing them.” Thompson said FAMU has awarded the contract for the project’s construction manager. “They will begin advertising for subcontractors in Crestview news outlets as early as next week,” he said. Thompson said construction on the FAMU Crestview Education Center, as it is properly called, will take 10 to 11 months. Classes are expected to start in the fall of 2012. “We’re happy to hear the news that they’re getting ready to start,” Wing said. “We look forward to working with them and intend to offer any assistance the city can.”
Work on FAMU pharmacy school ready to begin
Classes are scheduled to start in Crestview in fall 2012
By BRIAN HUGHES
Florida Freedom Newspapers
CRESTVIEW — The chain link construction fence along the Woodruff Avenue side of the Alatex building has generated excitement among city officials eager to see work begin to transform the landmark into a new pharmacy school for Florida A&M University. After several false starts, including a scare earlier this year when it was thought Gov. Rick Scott might veto funding for the construction, work is expected to begin within two weeks. “We have submitted building plans to the city and expect to pull permits this week in order to begin brickwork immediately,” said Tola Thompson, FAMU’s director of government relations. “We have received building plans,” Crestview Administrative Services Director Mike Wing confirmed. “We’re in the process of reviewing them.” Thompson said FAMU has awarded the contract for the project’s construction manager. “They will begin advertising for subcontractors in Crestview news outlets as early as next week,” he said. Thompson said construction on the FAMU Crestview Education Center, as it is properly called, will take 10 to 11 months. Classes are expected to start in the fall of 2012. “We’re happy to hear the news that they’re getting ready to start,” Wing said. “We look forward to working with them and intend to offer any assistance the city can.”
Sunday, July 17, 2011
WHAT THE F-35 TRAINING SQUADRON MEANS TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY IN DOLLARS & SENSE
As Paul Harvey would say, “and the rest of the story”.
A new era begins: F-35 arrives
By JR McDONALD
A new chapter in Eglin Air Force Base aviation history began when the first F-35 Lightning II arrived here on July 14. The F-35 has been part of our local conversation for some years now as our community prepared to host the first-ever fifth generation, multirole fighter in the history of U.S. and international defense. Late 2009 was the last time a 33rd Fighter Wing aircraft, piloted by Wing Commander Col. “Sledge” Harmer, flew over the Emerald Coast. As a former pilot with the wing, I watched with pride as one chapter of our decorated history ended and another one began. On Oct. 1, 2009, the 33rd Fighter Wing became an Air Education and Training Command Wing and preparations began for the arrival of the first F-35 aircraft. Normally after a fighter wing stops flying, the surrounding communities experience a negative impact on the local economy. That will not be the case at Eglin. Because the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission decided to base the 7th Special Forces Group and first-ever DoD F-35 Integrated Training Center at Eglin, the Emerald Coast will see a positive economic impact just when we need it most. On a larger scale, within the state of Florida, there will be 8,700 people who will work on the F-35 program valued at approximately $800 million. Economically speaking, in the years to follow, the state will see consistent steady job growth related to this program. The 33rd Fighter Wing team has been working extremely hard over the past year and a half preparing for the F-35 training fleet. While the jet was assembled, tested and prepared for delivery at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas-based factory, the fighter pilot and maintainer training syllabus, courseware, academics and equipment were readied at the Integrated Training Center. The next generation of U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and international fighter pilots and maintainers are now in for a treat. Gone are the days of chalkboards, textbooks and poster boards. The Integrated Training Center is a stateof-the-art facility with the most advanced training equipment on the market today. So here’s the plan. The first F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, better known as the CTOL variant for the U.S. Air Force, has arrived. As many as six more jets will be delivered to Eglin in the near term. Now that planes are here, the men and women of the 33rd Fighter Wing will take measured, deliberate actions to prepare the aircraft academics, instructors, courseware and simulators as they welcome their first class of students later this fall. As locals, we’re no stranger to, and have an astute appreciation for, highly capable aircraft that can perform at unparalleled levels. Tyndall Air Force Base received the first fifth-generation fighter back in 2003 — the F-22 Raptor — and now it’s our turn to receive the most advanced multirole fifth-generation fighter in the world. We have a front-row seat to watch the next family of fighter aircraft take to the skies to defend America’s ideals of freedom, democracy and equality for the next 50 years. The entire F-35 team greatly appreciates all of the tremendous support we have received from the community during our time of preparation, and I pledge our dedicated efforts to make the F-35 Lightning II training program a source of pride for the Emerald Coast.
Story written by JR McDonald is the Lockheed Martin vice president for Corporate Domestic Business Development. He is a Choctawhatchee High School graduate and a former F-15 pilot with the 33rd Fighter Wing.
A new era begins: F-35 arrives
By JR McDONALD
A new chapter in Eglin Air Force Base aviation history began when the first F-35 Lightning II arrived here on July 14. The F-35 has been part of our local conversation for some years now as our community prepared to host the first-ever fifth generation, multirole fighter in the history of U.S. and international defense. Late 2009 was the last time a 33rd Fighter Wing aircraft, piloted by Wing Commander Col. “Sledge” Harmer, flew over the Emerald Coast. As a former pilot with the wing, I watched with pride as one chapter of our decorated history ended and another one began. On Oct. 1, 2009, the 33rd Fighter Wing became an Air Education and Training Command Wing and preparations began for the arrival of the first F-35 aircraft. Normally after a fighter wing stops flying, the surrounding communities experience a negative impact on the local economy. That will not be the case at Eglin. Because the Defense Base Realignment and Closure Commission decided to base the 7th Special Forces Group and first-ever DoD F-35 Integrated Training Center at Eglin, the Emerald Coast will see a positive economic impact just when we need it most. On a larger scale, within the state of Florida, there will be 8,700 people who will work on the F-35 program valued at approximately $800 million. Economically speaking, in the years to follow, the state will see consistent steady job growth related to this program. The 33rd Fighter Wing team has been working extremely hard over the past year and a half preparing for the F-35 training fleet. While the jet was assembled, tested and prepared for delivery at Lockheed Martin’s Fort Worth, Texas-based factory, the fighter pilot and maintainer training syllabus, courseware, academics and equipment were readied at the Integrated Training Center. The next generation of U.S. Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy and international fighter pilots and maintainers are now in for a treat. Gone are the days of chalkboards, textbooks and poster boards. The Integrated Training Center is a stateof-the-art facility with the most advanced training equipment on the market today. So here’s the plan. The first F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft, better known as the CTOL variant for the U.S. Air Force, has arrived. As many as six more jets will be delivered to Eglin in the near term. Now that planes are here, the men and women of the 33rd Fighter Wing will take measured, deliberate actions to prepare the aircraft academics, instructors, courseware and simulators as they welcome their first class of students later this fall. As locals, we’re no stranger to, and have an astute appreciation for, highly capable aircraft that can perform at unparalleled levels. Tyndall Air Force Base received the first fifth-generation fighter back in 2003 — the F-22 Raptor — and now it’s our turn to receive the most advanced multirole fifth-generation fighter in the world. We have a front-row seat to watch the next family of fighter aircraft take to the skies to defend America’s ideals of freedom, democracy and equality for the next 50 years. The entire F-35 team greatly appreciates all of the tremendous support we have received from the community during our time of preparation, and I pledge our dedicated efforts to make the F-35 Lightning II training program a source of pride for the Emerald Coast.
Story written by JR McDonald is the Lockheed Martin vice president for Corporate Domestic Business Development. He is a Choctawhatchee High School graduate and a former F-15 pilot with the 33rd Fighter Wing.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
