EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska -- The 354th Fighter Wing executed the units’ first Integrated Combat Turn (ICT) on a F-35A Lightning II, June 18, marking a milestone in Eielson’s capability to deliver efficient and lethal air combat sorties.
Using the ICT, the 354th Maintenance Group can rapidly refuel and rearm an aircraft while the aircraft's engines remain running. This process advances the turnaround time, allowing the aircraft to restore fighting capabilities and return to its mission quicker, similar to pit crews for racecars who swarm the car to change the tires, refuel and send the vehicle back on the track in seconds.
“The integrated combat turn is the rapid generation of a F-35 to get aircraft off the ground and into the air to maintain air superiority,” said Tech. Sgt. Virine Salas, 354th MXG loading standardizations crew chief.
Airmen minimize aircraft ground time and sustain a higher pace by utilizing this new capability, enhancing mission readiness. This also allows the 354th FW to efficiently function under Agile Combat Employment, an Air Force doctrine dedicated to generating combat power and increasing survivability through proactive and reactive maneuvers.
“These procedures have a huge impact on readiness,” said Tech. Sgt. Jacob Chandler, 354th MXG loading standardizations crew member. “It really allows us to go anywhere in the world, set down a very small team, have an aircraft come down, touchdown, refrag [re-arm], refuel and continue to provide air support anywhere around the world.”
Teamwork is paramount to the success of this new capability. Through seamless coordination and collaboration the 354th FW can ensure rapid regeneration of aircraft and continuous air power to the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.
“Being a team player is what this entire operation is all about,” said Senior Airman Eric Antonucci, 354th MXG loading standardizations crew member. “This isn't a single person type of job. We work in correlation with the maintenance flight, fuels flight and even safety observers so this is definitely a team-grounded environment.”
As the 354th FW continues to rapidly generate, deploy and deliver lethal airpower, members of the 354th MXG will continue to lead the development of tactics, techniques and procedures to advance the warfighting capability of Eielson’s force and our allies.