10 pilots chosen as 1st instructors for F-35

[unhappycamper]

10 pilots chosen as 1st instructors for F-35
By Bruce Rolfsen - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday Feb 3, 2009 18:23:54 EST

Operational pilots are one step closer to getting in the cockpit of the F-35 Lightning II with the selection of the fliers to stand up the first training squadron.

“Any fighter pilot would be energized to be part of a new aircraft. ... This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” said Lt. Col. Stephen Pieper, selected to command the new squadron. Pieper now flies F-16 Fighting Falcons as director of operations for the 310th Fighter Squadron at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz.

The squadron will not resemble a typical operational or training squadron.

The 10 initial cadre pilots — seven pilots from F-16 cockpits and three pilots from F-15E Strike Eagles — are predominately graduates of the Air Force Weapons School with instructor experience and more than 1,500 hours in fighters. If any of those pilots are unavailable to join the squadron, several pilot alternates, including A-10 Thunderbolt aviators, were selected to fill the spots.

The Air Force Personnel Center declined, as of Jan. 29, to release the names of the pilots chosen by the selection board, citing the program’s sensitivity. However, with the Air Force’s approval, several pilots agreed to talk with Air Force Times.


Rest of article at: http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/02/airforce_f35_pilots_020309/%2e