63rd Fighter Squadron receives its first F-35

Photo By Senior Airman James Hensley | Lt. Col. Matthew Vedder, 63rd Fighter Squadron commander, shakes hands with Airman 1st Class Joshua Cote, 61st Aircraft Maintenance Unit F-35 Lightning II crew chief after landing March 20, 2017, at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz. This is the first F-35 for the 63rd FS and marks the 51st F-35 for Luke. (U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman James Hensley)  

LUKE AIR FORCE BASE , AZ, UNITED STATES

03.20.2017

Story by Airman 1st Class Alexander Cook        

56th Fighter Wing

Lt. Col. Matt Vedder, 63rd FS commander and F-35 pilot, taxied in the new aircraft from the Lockheed Martin plant in Fort Worth, Texas, to Luke AFB where it will serve as the flagship jet for the 63rd FS.
“It’s a monumental day and a huge milestone for the base,” Vedder said. “As the commander of the 63rd FS, receiving our squadron’s first F-35 provides a huge sense of responsibility and it’s something I do not take lightly.”
That responsibility is building the future of airpower.
Since the first arrival of the F-35 in 2014, the program at Luke is approaching its halfway point with the 63rd FS activation.
The 63rd FS was originally activated in January of 1941, then known as the 63rd Pursuit Squadron. The squadron has over 174 aerial victories and several aces.
“We always feel a sense of responsibility in representing the squadron in which we fly,” Vedder said. “That sense is really heightened when you’re flying in the flagship. For me, it’s leading out in front and representing the men and women who make this organization happen. There are so many people that make this jet fly every day, and I’m fortunate to be able to represent them.”

• Date Taken: 03.20.2017
• Date Posted: 03.20.2017 20:46
• Story ID: 227450
• Location: LUKE AIR FORCE BASE , AZ, US