Luke F-35s visit Columbus AFB

A T-6 Texan II roars overhead as the pilots of two Luke Air Force Base F-35 Lightning IIs prepare to exit their aircraft July 23 at the Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. The pilots were Capt. Nicholas Rallo, left, 62nd Fighter Squadron, and Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, 56th Fighter Wing commander. Pleus spoke to the media about the visit and later gave two briefings to Columbus' Airmen about the F-35’s capabilities. He also served as the guest speaker for the base's undergraduate pilot training graduation ceremony that night. The arrival marks the F-35's first visit to Columbus AFB. The visit served to inform the local community on the role of the service's newest fighter jet and educated the Air Force's newest pilots on an airframe they may be called upon to fly in combat now that they've graduated from UPT.

Luke F-35s visit Columbus AFB

Published Aug. 3, 2015
By Airman First Class Daniel Lile
Public Affairs, Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Mississippi -- A T-6 Texan II roars overhead as the pilots of two Luke Air Force Base F-35 Lightning IIs prepare to exit their aircraft July 23 at the Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi. The pilots were Capt. Nicholas Rallo, left, 62nd Fighter Squadron, and Brig. Gen. Scott Pleus, 56th Fighter Wing commander. Pleus spoke to the media about the visit and later gave two briefings to Columbus' Airmen about the F-35's capabilities. He also served as the guest speaker for the base's undergraduate pilot training graduation ceremony that night. The arrival marks the F-35's first visit to Columbus AFB. The visit served to inform the local community on the role of the service's newest fighter jet and educated the Air Force's newest pilots on an airframe they may be called upon to fly in combat now that they've graduated from UPT.