Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Ridge Shan
A 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit maintainer inspects an F-35A Lightning II prior to its taxi-out and takeoff July 18, 2018, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Pilots and maintainers perform thorough pre-flight checks before each sortie.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Ridge Shan
Maintainers from the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit inspect an F-35A Lightning II prior to its taxi-out and takeoff July 18, 2018, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Pilots and maintainers perform thorough pre-flight checks before each sortie.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Ridge Shan
Pilots, including Australians, from the 61st Fighter Squadron brief at the operations desk before stepping to their F-35A Lightning IIs for a transitional training sortie July 18, 2018, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Transitional training helps pilots experienced in flying other air frames adapt to the F-35.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Ridge Shan
A 61st Fighter Squadron pilot walks with a 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit maintainer out to their F-35A Lightning II for a transitional training sortie July 18, 2018, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The sortie involved four instructor pilots training four students on basic flight maneuvers.
A 61st Fighter Squadron pilot prepares to start his F-35A Lightning II for a sortie July 18, 2018, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The 61st FS maintains an international F-35 training mission which includes Australian pilots.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Ridge Shan
Maintainers from the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit discuss operations during pre-flight checks for an F-35A Lightning II July 18, 2018, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Each fighter squadron has a corresponding aircraft maintenance unit. The 61st AMU services the jets of the 61st Fighter Squadron.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Ridge Shan
Maintainers from the 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit prepare to taxi-out a 61st Fighter Squadron F-35A Lightning II for a transitional training sortie July 18, 2018, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. The 61st FS flies sorties regularly as part of routine flight training operations.
Air Force photograph by Senior Airman Ridge Shan
A 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit maintainer salutes the pilot of an F-35A Lightning II as he taxis out for a sortie July 18, 2018, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. Pilots and maintainers work closely to ensure that aircraft are safe and effective.
