Making the Transition

Making the Transition: Pratt & Whitney says it has delivered the final F135 test engine in the configuration designed for USAF's F-35A and Navy F-35C variants and is poised to begin deliveries later this month of the production-version of this engine. Warren Boley, Pratt's vice president of F135 engine programs, said in a release Tuesday that this step is "another demonstration of the continued maturing" of the F135, which has already logged more than 12,850 test hours, both on the ground and in the air. Pratt expects to deliver the final test engine for the Marine Corps F-35B short-takeoff/vertical landing variant sometime soon. The F135 leverages technology from the company's F119 engine that powers the F-22 stealth fighter. Pratt's engine is locked in competition with the General Electric/Rolls-Royce F136 powerplant that Congress continues to fund in defense spending bills despite the Pentagon's attempts to kill it.

1/7/2010

Verbatim

Appreciative Host
"I know you're here during a difficult time. You're here through Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's. I promise you, we will find turkeys."
—Republic of Lithuania Chief of Defence Maj. Gen. Arvydas Pocius, expressing his thanks to airmen of the 493rd Fighter Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, Britain, who on Sept. 1, 2010, began a four-month stint with their F-15s in Lithuania to protect the airspace of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania under NATO's Baltic air policing mission.

Verbatim

Family Momentum
"In many ways, this was what the Year of the Air Force Family was all about—connecting airmen and their families with the resources they need. I have confidence the Air Force will capitalize on this strong momentum in the years ahead by continuing to improve our family support programs and ensuring people know what resources are available."
—Suzie Schwartz, wife of USAF Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, commenting on the accomplishments of the Year of the Air Force Family initiative that concluded in July, in a statement provided to the Daily Report, Aug. 22, 2010.