F-35B Completes First Airborne Engine Start Tests

By Victor Chen, F-35 Integrated Test Force Public Affairs

EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. (NNS) -- The F-35 integrated test force announced the completion of a major prerequisite test for in-flight performance on the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Sept. 4.

BF-2 completed the first air starts, which test the ability of the F-35's propulsion system to restart during flight. Verifying the restart capability of the propulsion system is part of the initial flight test program for the F-35 and a prerequisite for high angle-of-attack testing, scheduled to start next year.

"High alpha, or angle-of-attack tests, are important for us to fully evaluate the aircraft's handling characteristics and warfighting capability," said Marine Corps test pilot Lt. Col. Matthew Kelly. "Maximizing the performance of the airplane around the very slow edges of the flight envelope is probably some of the most challenging testing we will conduct. After we get through it, we'll know a lot more about how this aircraft will perform during combat within visual range."

Using multiple restart methods during the tests, BF-2 successfully completed a series of 27 air starts at various altitudes Aug. 15.

To execute air start testing, the F-35 Integrated Test Force (ITF) at Naval Air Station Patuxent River ferried BF-2 and an F/A-18 chase aircraft from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 23 to the F-35A testing facility at Edwards AFB.

"At Edwards, we have a unique testing range, which provides ideal and controlled conditions for completing air start testing. The Edwards range is comprised of 20,000 square miles of airspace, and has 65 linear miles of useable landing area on Rogers and Rosamond Dry Lakes, if required during engine out testing," said Lt. Col. George N. Schwartz, commander of the 461st Flight Test Squadron and government site director. "In addition, we've recently completed air start testing on the F-35A, so we're able to share some of our expertise with the Pax team as well."

The core of the F-35B's propulsion system is the F135 engine, capable of more than 40,000 pounds of thrust.

"The F135 continues to power a successful flight test program," said Roy Hauck, Pratt & Whitney site lead at the F-35 Patuxent River ITF. "The aircraft and its integrated systems demonstrated intentional flameout and successful recovery scenarios during air start flight tests, and BF-2 and the team did a great job."

A team of approximately 60 ITF and VX-23 personnel provided engineering and maintenance requirements for the events.

The detachment to Edwards from NAS Patuxent River overlapped with a busy summer flight testing schedule.

"In the past two months, we've sent detachments to Edwards and Lakehurst [N.J.], and maintained a full-tempo test schedule here," said Navy Capt. Erik Etz, director of test for F-35 naval variants at NAS Patuxent River. "The team of military, government and industry personnel rallied to make all the events happen, and they can be proud of their accomplishments."

The F-35B is the variant of the Joint Strike Fighter designed for use by U.S. Marine Corps, as well as F-35 international partners in the United Kingdom and Italy. The F-35B is capable of short take-offs and vertical landings to provide air power from amphibious ships, ski jump aircraft carriers and expeditionary airfields. The F-35B is undergoing test and evaluation at NAS Patuxent River prior to delivery to the fleet.

Wisconsin Guardsmen honored as one of America's finest

By Capt. Joseph Brooks

130th Public Affairs Detachment

A Wisconsin Army National Guard Soldier was recently recognized among the best Soldiers and Airmen in the country as part of the 2012 Outstanding Soldier and Airmen of the Year banquet.

1st Lt. Nicholas Plocar, of Howards Grove, Wis., who competed in the Best Ranger Competition earlier this year, was a member of one of the Best Ranger Teams in the National Guard - which was reason enough to be recognized Aug. 22 at the Sheraton Pentagon City Hotel's grand banquet room in Washington, D.C

Plocar, of the Appleton-based 2-127 Infantry Battalion, and his teammate, Capt. Robert Killian of Colo., were 6th place finishers of the Best Ranger Competition. Also recognized were Sgt. Mark Fuggiti of Pa., the Best Solder of the Year, Sgt. Matthew Howard of Ark., the Best Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, Sgt. 1st Class Craig Wester of Ariz., the Best Recruiter of the Year, were honored for the Army National Guard. Staff Sgt. Matthew Madiar of Ill. and Sgt 1st Class Zachery Philips of Ore., 3rd place finishers in the Best Ranger Competition could not be present but were honored for their outstanding achievements.

Senior Airman Michael McCaffrey of Wash., the Best Airman of the Year, Tech. Sgt. Jacob Scott Curtis of Ill., the Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, Senior Master Sgt. Luke Thompson, the Senior Non-commissioned Officer of the Year, Master Sgt. Fred Hudgins Jr. of Ariz., the First Sergeant of the Year, Master Sgt. Jeffrey Lamarche of N.Y., the Best Honor Guard Program Manager of the Year and Staff Sgt. Carrie Kline of Ind., the Best Honor Guard Member of the Year were honored for the Air National Guard. 

The event was organized to honor the top performers in the National Guard for the year in multiple specialties and positions. The soldiers and airmen each earned their title through extraordinary performance and individual achievement throughout the year and represent the best from the National Guard.

Gen. Craig R. McKinley, Chief of the National Guard Bureau, the guest speaker for the evening congratulated each of the awardees for their accomplishments, dedication and the examples the set for the for the national guard.

The enlisted personnel received special remarks from the enlisted leadership of the National Guard for their setting the example for the thousands of enlisted soldiers and airmen of the National Guard.

" (These winners) have notably carried on the Guard's traditions of defending for over 300 years", said Air Force Chief Master Sgt. Denise Jelinski-Hall, Senior Enlisted Leader for the National Guard Bureau.

Jelinski-Hall noted that too often these soldiers and airmen say that they were just doing their job.

"Extraordinary Americans," she repeated throughout her speech commending the Outstanding Soldiers and Airmen of the Year 2012. "Ready to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan or any four corners of our country."

Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Burch, Command Sgt. Maj. Of the Army National Guard, explained the Army's Best Warrior and Best Non-commissioned Officer Competition to the audience. He expressed all the trials and tribulations of the various phases of the completion to a multi force audience of Army and Air National Guard. He congratulated Fuggiti and Howard for their ability to persevere and excel throughout the daunting competition.

Burch congratulated Howard, the Best Recruiter of the Army National Guard, for his accomplishment in recruiting and retention. Burch said that it the efforts of great recruiters that keep the Army strong.

Burch went on to congratulate the Best Ranger team. This was the first time in the history of the competition that the National Guard had two teams to place in the top ten in this competition.

Burch concluded by saying, "I am proud to be standing beside and being part of the Army National Guard with them. Continue to strive for excellence, be yourself, believe in yourself and don't be afraid to go for your dreams because dreams become goals."

Jelinski-Hall quoted Douglas MacArthur when she was explaining the amount to leadership the winners carry with them, "He does not set out to be a leader, but becomes one by the equality of his actions and the integrity of his intent."

The banquet guests were treated to a special performance by the U.S. Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and an intermission performance by the U.S. Air Force Strolling Strings. Usually reserved for presidential banquets and for honoring foreign dignitaries, these two groups played for the banquet receiving a standing ovations for their performances.

The event culminated with address by Gen. Craig McKinley, the 26th Chief National Guard Bureau and Member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. McKinley stated that he was proud to speaking at this event in one of his last official ceremonies as National Guard Chief.

"Tonight is all about the airmen and soldiers, our enlisted force," said McKinley about the night's events. "We are so blessed in the National Guard to have an outstanding enlisted force that give us, the officer corps the opportunity to lead."

McKinley's praise of the enlisted force continued pointing out the values of the civilian acquired skills from the first National Guard soldiers more than 300 years ago and the tradition that lives on today. He praised the enlisted corps and the senior enlisted advisers that have been there for him throughout his career.

After McKinley spoke, the awards to the outstanding soldiers and airmen were presented. Each of the awardees was called individually to receive a minuteman statue that symbolized the outstanding achievements and dedication of the service members.

The banquet is not the end for Fuggiti and Howard, the Army National Guard Best Soldier and Best Non-commissioned Officer. The two soldiers go on to compete against active duty and reserve soldier in the Army-wide completion.

Family Supports Marine During Paralympic Competition

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

LONDON, Sept. 3, 2012 – The support of family helps to keep a service member grounded, whether serving in the military or competing in sports, the only active duty U.S. Marine in the 2012 Paralympic Games said here today.

Marine Corps Cpl. Rene Renteria, a radar repairman by trade and assigned to the Wounded Warrior Battalion at Camp Pendleton, Calif., is one of three active-duty service members competing in the Paralympic Games. He credits his family with keeping him focused, especially during tough times.

“I have wife and a daughter,” he said. “[They're] who I'm here for. They help me keep my head up, with whatever goes on. [Sometimes] it’s a struggle – I guess it's just all mental.”

Renteria said his wife was able to travel to Great Britain, along with his sister, to watch the Paralympic Games, but his daughter is in the United States with his parents.

The U.S. Paralympic soccer team forward, a native of Sun Valley, Calif., said his four years of military service have helped him reach the Paralympics. He has served a deployment [to Afghanistan, and he played on the 2010 All-Marines soccer team.

The first two games here have not gone well for the U.S. team, with losses to Ukraine, 9-0, and today to Brazil, 8-0. But Renteria still is proud of the team's efforts.

“Regardless of the score, we're going out there to compete,” he said. “We've got to push ourselves to be better than the last play we just did. We have to try to focus, and you've got to have your head up.” Great Britain is next up for the U.S. team tomorrow.

Renteria shared his thought process as he competes on the field and leads his team, trying to keep them as competitive as possible.

“You're trying to help the team,” he said. “You want to be able to support your team with whatever you do. I try to be one of the best. I try putting myself in the right position at the right time. It's exciting.”

The other Marines in his unit was very excited when they found out he would be competing in London, Renteria said. “[My unit was] more excited than I was coming here, just because I'm the first active from the Wounded Warrior [Battalion] to go to the Paralympics,” he added.

“It's an exciting, surreal moment. So I'm just waiting to see what [reaction] I go back to,” he said with a laugh.

Renteria said he was able to join the U.S. Paralympic soccer team through a sports medicine specialist at the Wounded Warrior Battalion who previously worked for the U.S. Olympic Committee and assisted him in contacting the team.

“My goal today was to go home with a medal,” Renteria said. “Just having a good experience and to win. I don't want to leave without a win.” He said he'll remain upbeat and “just keep my head up, and I know that things [will] always get better.”

Meanwhile, his teammate, Gavin Sibayan, a retired Army veteran and defender/midfielder for the team, reflected on the transition from being a service member to a Paralympic athlete.

“It's awesome to go from defending your country to competing for your country,” he said.

Archery Quarterfinals Pit U.S. Teammates Against Each Other

By Army Sgt. 1st Class Tyrone C. Marshall Jr.

American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON – A quarterfinals archery match here today thrilled the 2012 Paralympic Games crowd, as two U.S. teammates squared off in a tight contest that came down to the last arrow.

Shooting at the Royal Artillery Barracks, retired Army veteran Dugie Denton faced teammate Matthew Stutzman – known as “The Armless Archer” -- during the Men's Individual Open Compound Quarterfinals match.

“They're just the same as anybody else out there,” Denton said. “We bring a team, but we're individual shooters. So it's still on the individual.”

Following the grueling match in which nearly every arrow hit the yellow portion of the target for a 9- or 10-point score, a Paralympic commentator offered that it may have been the best match the Paralympics and Olympics had seen this year.

At one point, Denton hit three straight bull’s eyes, scoring a perfect 30 for the set, but he didn’t win his match.

“It was good shooting,” Denton said. “[Stutzman] didn't make a mistake, and I did. That's all that matters. Everybody makes a mistake – we're only human.

“It's unfortunate to shoot against your own teammate, because you know one of you is going home,” he continued. “I'd like to see both of us meet up [at the] end so we can shoot for the gold and silver.” The match between the two archers was close that the three-arrow-per-round, five-set match wasn't decided until the 30th arrow was fired. The very last arrow, as a dramatic announcer pointed out, decided the match's outcome.

“I gave it away,” said a disappointed, but upbeat Denton. “When I went to tip down, I just relaxed, and when you relax that hinge fires. And that's just how it is.” The archer said there weren't any technical issues as he worked through the match, but the hinge, ultimately, cost him advancement to the semifinal round.

“It was just the balance issue with tipping backwards,” he explained. “Nothing fancy – simple. It happens occasionally.”

Despite losing to his teammate, Denton said he looks forward to competing in the 2016 Paralympic Games.

The retired soldier noted he deals with effects from a traumatic brain injury, has reduced balance from a past ruptured eardrum, and had a plate put in his ankle after being shot during his military service. But he credited his ability to perform well and his disciplined demeanor to his previous military service.

“I feel a lot calmer than I think most of these guys do,” he said. “The mental training you go through in basic training and being deployed from overseas, … I think it helps a guy out a lot.”

Denton made no excuses for his loss as he spoke to reporters after the match, and he lauded the competition.

“The competition was spectacular,” he said. “It makes a guy feel good, except for that last arrow. [It's] just how she goes, and that one went high.

“I was hoping not so high,” he added with a chuckle.

Denton compared the moment of his hinge mishap to his other favorite pastime – fishing. “[It's] like catching the big fish – they always break off at the boat.”

The Paralympian, who lives in Montana, said he will enjoy the rest of his time in Great Britain with his wife and mother.

Stutzman stopped by and expressed his admiration for Denton. He said their competitive matches are the norm.

“This guy is insanely awesome,” Stutzman said. “We go back and forth all of the time, and most of the time, he comes out on top. It's always tough. [He's a] great guy.”