No place for politics in F-35 cockpits as Canadian fighter jet pilots get ready to train at U.S. base
CBC
The constant roar of the F-35 fighter jet can be heard and felt at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona as pilots practise flying the stealth planes across the vast desert sky.
But what’s louder is the ongoing debate within the Canadian government about just how many F-35s it will purchase.
Last March, Prime Minister Mark Carney's government announced that it would be reviewing the procurement of Canada’s new fleet of fighter jets amid continued political and trade tensions between Canada and the United States.
The F-35 purchase has become symbolic of the political discourse. But when it comes to pilots training in the air, it’s politics aside and off the radar.
U.S. Brig. Gen. David Berkland, who commands Luke Air Force Base in Glendale, Ariz., says he can’t let that noise distract him as he focuses on training pilots from around the world.
“Things that are in the news that are above my pay grade, we just can't get distracted by,” said Berkland.
He’s referring to friction between some European countries and the U.S. given President Donald Trump’s renewed desire to acquire Greenland, which has dominated headlines in recent weeks.
"So flying with the Danes, we're all focused very singly on training the world's greatest fighter pilots. That's our mission here at Luke," said Berkland.
"And as far as I can tell, 100 per cent seamless as far as our relationship with all of our partners."
Canada has contractually committed to buying 16 F-35s made by U.S. aerospace and defence company Lockheed Martin, with the option to purchase up to 88 of the fifth-generation stealth fighter jets.
While the fate of the remaining jets that will make up the Royal Canadian Air Force’s (RCAF) fleet is still unknown, the fact remains that Canada will be in possession of 16 F-35s — and pilots need to be trained to fly them.
Later this year, members of the RCAF will get that training at Luke in a mixed squadron amongst American counterparts.
Berkland, who has worked with the RCAF throughout his career, says they’re ready and excited to welcome Canadians.
“Having that trust built right up front in the training environment is really powerful.”
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