UK F-35 pilot

United Kingdom Royal Air Force Squadron Leader Frankie Buchler became the first international student-pilot to fly a sortie in the F-35B Lightning II March 19 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. (U.S. Air Force photo/Maj. Karen Roganov)

96 MXS commander wins AF award

Maj. Jose Lasso, the 96th Maintenance Squadron commander, recently won the Air Force's 2012 Lt. Gen. Leo Marquez award. Lasso was named field grade manager of the year in the missile and munitions category. The Air Force award is given to maintainers who demonstrate the highest degree of sustained job performance, job knowledge and job efficiency in the aircraft, munitions and missile and communications/electronics maintenance categories. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King, Jr.)

Equipment movement

Staff Sgt. Robby Harrison, of the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, directs the loader back after picking up some maintenance equipment from a C-5 Galaxy March 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The air transportation Airmen unloaded approximately 103,165 pounds of maintenance equipment for an F-16 unit participating in a weapons system evaluation program March 18-22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Equipment movement

Tech Sgt. Russell Guajardo, of the 482nd Fighter Wing, tightens down the straps holding maintenance equipment on a flat-bed truck March 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen unloaded approximately 103,165 pounds of maintenance equipment for the 482nd maintenance units participating in a weapons system evaluation program March 18-22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Equipment movement

Tech Sgt. Russell Guajardo, of the 482nd Fighter Wing, flings a strap over the maintenance equipment on a flat-bed truck March 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron Airmen unloaded approximately 103,165 pounds of maintenance equipment for the 482nd maintenance units participating in a weapons system evaluation program March 18-22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Equipment movement

Staff Sgt. Robby Harrison, of the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, directs the loader back after picking up some maintenance equipment from a C-5 Galaxy March 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Airmen unloaded approximately 103,165 pounds of maintenance equipment for an F-16 unit participating in a weapons system evaluation program March 18-22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Equipment movement

Senior Airman Kalipb Wiggins, of the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, moves a piece of equipment away from a C-5 Galaxy March 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Airmen unloaded approximately 103,165 pounds of maintenance equipment for an F-16 unit participating in a weapons system evaluation program March 18-22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Equipment movement

Airman 1st Class Jamal Johnson and Staff Sgt. Grant Gammons, of the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, move a piece of equipment away from a C-5 Galaxy March 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Airmen unloaded approximately 103,165 pounds of maintenance equipment for an F-16 unit participating in a weapons system evaluation program the following week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

Equipment movement

Staff Sgt. Darryl Leytham and Airman 1st Class Josh Wilson, of the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron, move a generator away from a C-5 Galaxy March 14 at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. The Airmen unloaded approximately 103,165 pounds of maintenance equipment for an F-16 unit participating in a weapons system evaluation program the following week. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

C-5

An aircrew member of the 433rd Airlift Wing performs a post-flight inspection the engine of a C-5 Galaxy after its arrival to Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 14. The reserve wing’s aircraft brought maintenance equipment from the 482nd Fighter Wing to the base in preparation for the weapons system evaluation program taking place March 18-22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

C-5

A 433rd Airlift Wing maintainer carries chocks to secure the wheels of a C-5 Galaxy just after its arrival at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 14. The reserve wing’s aircraft brought maintenance equipment from the 482nd Fighter Wing to the base in preparation for the weapons system evaluation program taking place March 18-22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)

C-5

The tail of a 433rd Airlift Wing C-5 Galaxy reaches toward the sky at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., March 14. The reserve wing’s aircraft brought maintenance equipment from the 482nd Fighter Wing to the base in preparation for the weapons system evaluation program taking place March 18-22. (U.S. Air Force photo/Samuel King Jr.)