Lt. Col. Eric Smith is the first Air Force pilot certified to fly the F-35 strike fighter. He’s also USAF’s first F-35 instructor pilot. The former A-10 and F-16 test pilot is now assigned to Eglin AFB, Fla., where he is operations director for the 58th Fighter Squadron, a component of the 33rd Fighter Wing that oversees the joint F-35 schoolhouse there. In this role, Smith will oversee flight operations for the initial F-35 pilot cadre. “I’m extremely thrilled to be honored as the first Air Education and Training Command F-35 instructor pilot,” he said. “It means a lot to me, but more for the 33rd FW [that] can now execute the training plan they have been working on for two years. We have a great team and will soon begin training F-35 pilots and maintainers.” F-35 student pilots will receive about 200 hours of academics, conduct 14 simulator missions, a high-speed taxi test, and six flights in the airplane before they are qualified to fly. (Eglin report by Chrissy Cuttita)
When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week citing the need to build readiness, he left it up to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide if they would still permit extra days off. Here’s how Air Force major commands are taking that guidance.