Happy Friday, FighterSweep fans! We know this Burner Friday comes on the heels of a rough day, but we sincerely hope that this lifts your spirits at least temporarily.
The ‘Spikes‘ of the 62nd Fighter Squadron just recently transitioned to the F-35 and we wanted to send their Vipers into the sunset on a high note.
The 62nd is member of the 56th Fighter Wing/56th Operations Group, which is based at Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Arizona. The Spikes’ history with the 56th is a rich one that dates all the way back to 1941 with the 56th Pursuit (and eventually Fighter) Group.
Back then they were flying P-35s and P-36s in Georgia and North Carolina. Since then, they have moved around quite a bit but they have had the good fortune of being stationed at Luke AFB since 1994. They look to stay put into the foreseeable future.
The ‘Spikes’ have flown a number of great aircraft in their history like the P-40, P-47, P-51, F-86, F-101, F-104, the Double Ugly, and the Mighty Viper. Recently they ushered in a new era with the F-35 Lightning II.
It is an era that gives the 62nd the distinction of training new JSF drivers in aircraft that are the closest to combat capable in AETC. We wish all of the Spikes the very best with the new aircraft.
Coming soon , we have a story on the experience of one of our FighterSweep contributors making the transition from the Block 42 F-16 to the JSF. Stay tuned!