Jan. 20, 2017
Public Affairs, Volume 64, Number 3
Edwards test pilot first to reach 1,000 flight hours in F-35
By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
Lockheed Martin test pilot David “Doc” Nelson became the first pilot to achieve 1,000 flight hours in the F-35 during a test sortie Jan. 6. He achieved the milestone during a 4.5-hour flight in AF03, one of the 461st Flight Test Squadron’s Joint Strike Fighters used for developmental test and evaluation. “It’s an honor. At my age, to be flying the best attack airplane in the world, it’s a privilege and I thank my lucky stars every day,” Nelson said. A retired Air Force pilot, Nelson has been flying the F-35 since 2009. Members of the 461st FLTS and Lockheed Martin greeted Nelson as he deplaned and gave him a traditional spray down with water for his achievement. He was also presented with a plaque and special patch for his flight suit for achieving the milestone. The Joint Strike Fighter Integrated Test Force and the 461st FLTS at Edwards are responsible for developmental testing of the F-35. With the work of the JSF ITF and 461st FLTS, the Air Force F-35A was declared combat ready Aug 2, 2016. The F-35 is designed to replace aging fighter inventories
Robert Wallace (left), Lockheed Martin Flight Operations senior manager, presents David “Doc” Nelson with a special flight suit patch for being the first pilot to achieve 1,000 flight hours in the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Jan. 6. (Courtesy photo by Tom Reynolds/Lockheed Martin)
including U.S. Air Force F-16s and A-10s, U.S. Navy F/A18s, U.S. Marine Corps AV-8B Harriers and F/A-18s, and U.K. Harrier GR.7s and Sea Harriers. With stealth and a host of next-generation technologies, the F-35 is far and away the world’s most advanced multi-role fighter, according to the Air Force.
Airman of the year takes to the sky for incentive flight
Staff Sgt. Raquel Caramanno adjusts her flight helmet while Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander, watches before taking off in an F-16 Fighting Falcon. Schaefer took Caramanno on an incentive flight Jan. 12 as an award for being named one of the Air Force’s 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2016. (U.S. Air Force photo by Christopher Higgins)
By Kenji Thuloweit 412th Test Wing Public Affairs
The cold weather and rain could not keep the smiles off the faces of Staff Sgt. Raquel Caramanno and her 412th Medical Group leadership as she prepared to jump into the cockpit of an F-16 Fighting Falcon Jan. 12. Last July, the Medical Readiness noncommissioned officer in charge was an-
nounced as one of the 12 Outstanding Airmen of the Year for 2016. Among the many accolades Caramanno received was an incentive flight in an Air Force plane of her choice. She took off in the fighter jet piloted by Brig. Gen. Carl Schaefer, 412th Test Wing commander. Dozens of exceptional Airmen across the Air Force are nominated each year and Caramanno was selected through a
(U.S. Air Force photo by Christian Turner)
competitive process based upon leadership, job performance, self-improvement, personal achievements and community involvement. Caramanno is responsible for the wartime readiness of all members assigned to the 412th Medical Group as the unit deployment manager.