Air Forces Southern hosted five Argentinean Air Force pilots in late January at Luke AFB, Ariz., for five days of interactions on fighter combat tactics. There the Argentine airmen learned how USAF conducts F-16 training by participating in surface attack and basic fighter maneuvers along-side US airmen. The visit was sponsored under US Southern Command’s subject matter expert exchange initiative. “The perspective our airmen obtain from working alongside partner nation military experts is invaluable,” said Lt. Col. Troy Hewgley, 12th Air Force branch chief for theater security. But the exciting part is the benefit is mutual. This training allowed our Argentine partner to fly some of the best training ranges in the world and work closely with pilots with extensive wartime experience.” (USAF report by TSgt. Kerry Jackson)
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.