Public Affairs, Volume 63, Number 66
Serving the community of Edwards Air Force Base California www.edwards.af.mil - www.facebook.com/EdwardsAirForceBase
Nov. 4, 2016
416th FLTS tests missile for ally’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter
A U.S. Air Force F-16 Fighting Falcon piloted by Maj. Jameel Janjua of the Royal Canadian Air Force carries a developmental test version of the Joint Strike Missile to its release point above the Utah Test and Training Range west of Salt Lake City, Utah. When development is complete, the Joint Strike Missile is intended for use aboard the F-35 Lighting II Joint Strike Fighter. Janjua is assigned to the 416th Flight Test Squadron based at Edwards as part of an officer exchange program. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Okula)
By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
From Norway to Australia, members from a number of allied and partner nations have come to Edwards to team with base units to test systems, enhance international cooperation and advance their own air forces’ capabilities. At the 416th Flight Test Squadron, a team of U.S. Air Force engineers and pilots are working with Norwegian government and industry personnel in testing the Joint Strike Missile. The JSM is designed to be carried in the F-35A’s
internal weapons bay and is the only powered, anti-surface warfare missile to do so according to Norwegian officials, said James Cook, 416th FLTS JSM program manager. The JSM is an advanced missile made of composite materials and uses stealth technology. It has air intakes, fold-out wings and tail fins. The navigation system supports terrain-following flight and can be used against sea- and landbased targets. Before it can be integrated with the F-35A, it is being tested on F-16 Fight-
ing Falcons from the 416th FLTS. The F-16 provides an excellent platform to initially test the missile before it’s transferred to the F-35 fifth-generation fighter, test managers say. “What we’re doing is conducting risk-mitigation testing with the F-16 before the JSM is integrated on the F-35,” said Cook. All tests are conducted over the Utah Test and Training Range. “I think it’s awesome to be a part of the next generational fighter while being in a legacy fighter combined test force. I’m excited to see the final outcome, which will be the culmination of all we’ve done here. To see it hit the target and explode the way it was planned to do,” Cook said. Along with Cook, the JSM team consists of test pilots Maj. John Trombetta and Maj. Jameel Janjua (Royal Canadian Air Force), flight test engineers Eric Biesen and Tom Smeeks and Collin Drake, project engineer. The JSM program at the 416th is one project that falls under the squadron’s European Participating Air Force Program, which Cook manages. The squadron conducts tests for European customers when requested.
Fifty Airmen get speedy face-to-face mentoring from top
By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
The Edwards Middle Tier Association hosted a Chief Speed Review at the Desert Mall Oct. 17. Fifty Airmen sat down for five minutes each with five different chief master sergeants to discuss future opportunities in their Air Force careers and receive professional guidance. “The purpose was to give enlisted members at Edwards access to a diverse group of chief master sergeants with different experiences and perspectives who have a combined 115 years of service,” said Chief Master Sgt. Todd Simmons, 412th Test Wing command chief. “Members were encouraged to bring questions concerning their careers and future goals.” Edwards MTA members, Staff Sgt. Ashley Provost and Staff Sgt. Kynetta Small, both of the 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, were the architects of the review and brought the idea to Simmons for assistance. “With the new (Enlisted Performance Reports), we asked if Airmen could set up meetings with the chief or other chiefs
Chief Master Sgt. Todd Simmons (left), 412th Test Wing command chief, talks with Staff Sgt. Noah Clifton, 31st Test and Evaluation Squadron, at the Desert Mall Oct. 21. The chief led a team of chief master sergeants during the Chief Speed Review. Fifty Airmen rotated through five chiefs for five minutes each to receive career guidance and discuss future opportunities within the Air Force. (U.S. Air Force photo by John Perry)
to make sure we’re doing things correctly and receive some guidance on career progression,” said Small. See Chiefs, page 2