With the arrival of the first senior staff member at the future wing for Joint Strike Fighter training, the vision of our nation's next generation flying fighting force starts to become a reality.
Navy Capt. Mike Saunders arrived at Eglin a few weeks ago and has been soaking up all the knowledge he can from the F-35 Joint Site Activation Task Force here while shadowing current operations at the 33rd Fighter Wing and meeting Team Eglin leadership.
"It's exciting because it is brand new," said the future 33rd Operations Group deputy commander. "I'm honored to be selected to come down here and help put this together. What this capability brings will be good for our nation."
With leading U.S. Navy Fighter Weapons School (TOPGUN) and Naval Strike and Air Warfare Center training departments on his resume, it seems no wonder this experienced fighter pilot with 4,000 hours was selected to co-lead the next generation of flying war fighters.
"Understanding each other's capabilities is critical to being able to effectively employ together," said Captain Saunders about his experience flying mixed packages of aircraft in a joint fighting force. "Picking the right guys means looking for special qualities and leadership with various backgrounds across all fighter communities that can leverage off each other's experience."
Rigorous selection will mean accepting more cadre from each service he said possess the right stuff; experienced with combat and training hours piloting aircraft like the FA-18 Hornet and the F-16 Fighting Falcon as Capt. Saunders does. They will also most likely have joint assignments on their resume like the F-15 Pilot Exchange Program the Captain completed at Kadena Air Base, Japan.
Leading the F-35 joint training school here means commanders will represent different branches of service as well. Captain Saunders said he looks forward to leading under the vision of Air Force Col. James Ravella, future group commander who arrives next month. October 1, an Air Force colonel will officially assume command of the 33rd FW with a Marine colonel as the vice wing commander.
"I'm told it's the largest Department of Defense program ever budgeted for," said Captain Saunders.
"We are standing up a joint and combined training capability for Navy, Air Force and Marines as well as allies, our international partners," said Lt. Col. Mike Farrell, F-35 Joint SATAF Chief. "We are building new buildings and integrating with Team Eglin and the community"
The fiscal year 2010 33rd OG is designed to host three squadrons, one for each service: Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. There will be standardized pilot training to provide basic familiarization with the F-35, like instrument flying, weapons and tactical training. Additionally, the Marines will extend the curriculum to add training in short take-off and vertical landing operations for forward base operations and for operations from assault carriers. The Navy will add training to qualify for operations aboard aircraft carriers.
Each service has been involved in JSF design to ensure their configuration meets the needs of their service. For the U.S. Navy, the JSF will be used in a "first day" of war, as a survivable strike fighter aircraft to complement F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, according to the JSF Program Office, Washington D.C.
Captain Saunders has first-hand experience of the "first day," and particularly remembers launching jets quickly off the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) during Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. In 2005 he returned to Southwest Asia to sustain operations and patrols.
"My guess is the JSF has plenty of power and reliability especially needed in the middle of the ocean," said the Navy pilot who can only right now imagine what life will be like flying the JSF next year. "It's designed as a fifth generation fighter. We'll continue to upgrade the fourth generation, but it will never get to the capability of the JSF. That's why we want to get the aircraft up and running, we need to stay one step ahead of any potential adversary."
Instructor pilots are supposed to trickle into the 33rd FW by the end of the year so by the time the first JSF arrives about a dozen fighter pilots will be anxiously ready to fly.
"You can have the knowledge but the experience brings the wisdom," said Captain Saunders.
Next on Captain Saunders "to do" list is travel to the F-35 developer, Lockheed Martin, for hands-on familiarization with hopes to be there when they roll out the Navy F-35 JSF C model this summer. Additionally he'll take time to meet with Navy leadership to ensure he's right on track with his service's goals for the next generation.
"When I look back on my 29 years in the military, I ask how I've been lucky enough to do all this," said the Navy pilot. "I've been fortunate to have had some great bosses and worked with truly outstanding people throughout my career."
With "blue" in his blood being raised by an Air Force father, a yearning to fly and an interest in history, the Captain started his military career in the 1980s as an enlisted RF-4C flight simulator mechanic with the Nebraska Air National Guard. In 1985, he graduated from the University of Nebraska and was commissioned through Aviation Officer Candidate School.
"I'm doing what I love to do and my family supports me," said Captain Saunders. "Selected as part of the leadership and charged to stand up the JSF here at Eglin AFB is indeed an honor."
Chrissy Cutita (AFNS)
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