An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Home : Media : News : News Article View
NEWS | Oct. 20, 2017

Hill Maintainers Support F-35A First Asia Appearance during Seoul ADEX 17

By Donovan K. Potter 388th Fighter Wing

HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Twenty-seven Hill Air Force Base maintainers and accompanying support equipment loaded into a C-17 Globemaster III Oct. 13, 2017, bound for Northeast Asia’s largest air show to support the F-35A Lightning II’s first time on Asian soil.

Seoul International Aerospace and Defense Exhibition, also known as Seoul ADEX 17, offers a venue to deepen U.S. relationships with South Korea and enhance regional security while also giving 388th and 419th Fighter Wing maintainers a sense of interoperability and cultural awareness by working in another country.

“With this temporary duty, we gain an increased understanding of how other platforms and countries conduct maintenance and daily operations,” said Lt. Col. Jennifer Phillips, 388th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron commander. “Boots on ground in a location other than home gives us breadth and increased understanding we’re able to pass onto peers, subordinates and leaders alike for application in future movements.”

In preparing to take the F-35A to Asia for the first time, the maintenance team focused on daily requirements such as upgrade training, maintenance discipline and operational risk management practices.

“We train like we fight,” Phillips said. “We pride ourselves on by-the-book maintenance, safety and wingmanship. Living these principles everyday prepares us for any assignment and complying with our maintenance directives and guidance will always ensure success.”

Air Force officials said participating in Seoul ADEX 17 indirectly supports theater engagement goals and objectives, while further enhancing relations with other Pacific nations. It also provides a unique opportunity for the U.S. to showcase its aviation expertise and promote strong military-to-military ties with South Korea allies and friends.

Besides the F-35A, other U.S. assets supporting Seoul ADEX 17 include the Air Force F-22 Raptor, A-10 Thunderbolt II, C-17 Globemaster III, C-130 Hercules, B-1 Lancer, KC-135 Stratotanker, E-3 Sentry, U-2 and RQ-4 Global Hawk. Additionally, the Navy is supporting with one P-8A Poseidon and the Army is supporting with one CH-47F Chinook.

The first operational F-35As arrived at Hill AFB in October 2015. Hill currently has 27 F-35As and will eventually be home to 78 aircraft and three operational squadrons by the end of 2019. The active duty 388th Fighter Wing and Reserve 419th FW fly and maintain the aircraft in a total force partnership.
CONNECT WITH USINDOPACOM

ENGAGE & CONNECT MORE WITH PACOM

                                      

IN THE USINDOPACOM NEWS
BH 25-1: Kadena’s fighter presence remains unwavering
U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptors assigned to the 525th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron taxi down the runway during a base-wide readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 15, 2025. The transition to more modern aircraft at Kadena exemplifies the U.S. Air Force’s continued commitment to enhancing posture and building on the strong foundation of the U.S.-Japan alliance. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Arnet Shayne Tamayo)
Jan. 17, 2025 - U.S. Air Force F-22A Raptors and F-15C Eagle fly training missions during a routine readiness exercise, Jan. 15, 2025...

Singapore Army and US Army Talks Vital to Growing Partnership
The Singaporean and U.S. Army Staff Talks held on January 8-9, 2025, at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, represent the military partnership between the United States and Singapore, underscoring our commitment to enhancing defense cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Jan. 16, 2025 - The Singapore Army-U.S. Army Staff Talks, held at Fort Shafter, Hawaii, on January 8-9, 2025, reaffirm the enduring partnership between the United States and Singapore. This collaboration underscores our nation’s commitment...

U.S. Indo-Pacific Command hosts Commander’s Conference
Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, delivers opening remarks to senior joint-force leaders attending the Commanders Conference at the USINDOPACOM Headquarters on Camp H. M. Smith in Hawaii, Jan. 15-16, 2025. USINDOPACOM persistently integrates and employs credible, all-domain combat power in order to deter aggression, prevent and respond to crisis, and, if necessary, conduct decisive joint and combined operations to prevail in conflict. Integrating our operations in support of and supported by other U.S. Government agencies, the joint force will persistently operate in and across all domains to defend the homeland, deter strategic attack, counter aggression, protect U.S. interests throughout the Indo-Pacific, and enhance U.S. alliances and partnerships. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class John Bellino)
Jan. 16, 2025 - Adm. Samuel J. Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, hosted more than 40 senior joint-force leaders for two days of engagements focused on strategy, capabilities, and force posture in the Indo-Pacific, Jan. 15-16,...

U.S. Naval intelligence officials visit the Philippines to strengthen partnership with key ally
DDNI is greeted by members of the Philippines armed forces during an official visit to Manila on January 14, 2025.
Jan. 16, 2025 - On January 14, U.S. Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Mr. Steve Parode and U.S. Assistant Deputy Director of Naval Intelligence Ms. Sandra Brown conducted a strategic visit to the Philippines, marking a significant...

BH 25-1: Fighting Falcons practice ACE
A U.S. Air Force F-16C Fighting Falcon assigned to the 77th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron takes off in support of an 18th Wing routine readiness exercise at Marine Corps Air Station Futenma, Japan, Jan. 15, 2025. While deployed to the Keystone of the Pacific, the 77th EFS ensures continued steady-state fighter capabilities in the region. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Sav Ford)
Jan. 16, 2025 - The 18th Wing tested Agile Combat Employment objectives during a base-wide, routine readiness exercise at Kadena Air Base, Japan, Jan. 8-15, 2025...