Air Education and Training Command has established a site activation task force to oversee the establishment of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter training mission at Eglin AFB, Fla., reports Lois Walsh. The Air Force announced last year that Eglin would train Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and allied pilots and maintainers for the new F-35. Air Force Col. George Ross heads the SATAF, a 12-person joint service team, which oversees a $400 million construction effort and coordination of service-specific training needs. Already the environmental impact process for the F-35 mission and an Army move developed a wrinkle, causing a one-year delay in the BRAC 2005-directed movement of an Army element to Eglin. The SATAF also must oversee the shift of the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin from Air Combat Command and F-15s to AETC for the F-35 training role.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.