Attachment – Responses to Questions dated May 15, 2019

Question 1: What prompted this strategic basing/redirection analysis for this F-35A squadron,
and how was Luke AFB selected as the site to resource aircraft for Eglin AFB?

Response: The Air Force is increasing Undergraduate Pilot Training throughput, driving the
need to keep the F-16 Formal Training Unit squadrons at Luke AFB to absorb the additional
student pilot graduates. Delaying the fifth F-35A squadron to Luke AFB is necessary to remain
below the Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision limits, which we would
otherwise begin to exceed in 2022.

Question 2: What specific problem is the USAF trying to solve by redirecting this squadron?

Response: The Air Force must remain within the 170 total aircraft limit at Luke AFB imposed
by the Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision, while also maintaining critical F-16
pilot production.

Question 3: Will the bed down plan for Luke AFB, consistent with the Air Force’s F-35
Training Record of Decision (ROD), still result in delivery of six total F-35A squadrons (for a
total of 144 F-35As) and two reduced squadrons of F-16s (for a total of 170 primary assigned
aircraft (PAA) tails?

Response: Yes. The Air Force is fully committed to bedding down six F-35A squadrons and
maintaining 26 F-16s at Luke AFB. The Air Force needs this amount of F-35A pilot production
capacity to meet operational F-35A unit requirements based on the total buy. The Air Force also
needs the F-16 pilot production capacity to mitigate the current fighter pilot shortfall.

Question 4: What assurances can you provide that the USAF’s original plan for F-35s at Luke
AFB will be fully implemented to this configuration and when?

Response: While contingent on funding, the Air Force is fully committed to bedding down six
F-35A squadrons at Luke AFB. The Air Force needs this amount of pilot production capacity to
meet operational F-35A unit requirements based on the total buy.

Question 5: Luke AFB has a total of 167 PAA (89 F-35s / 78 F-16s). Can you confirm that
USAF will continue to sustain Luke AFB’s PAA inventory at or above this quantity of aircraft
(167)?

Response: There will be variations in the numbers of F-16 and F-35A aircraft as the Air Force
manages the increase in numbers of F-35As while simultaneously reducing the numbers of F-
16s. Contingent on funding, the Air Force intends to maintain this number of aircraft at Luke
AFB.

Question 6: Can you confirm that this delay will not result in the reduction of any personnel at
Luke AFB in the short term?

Response: Only small fluctuations in personnel are anticipated during the transition from F-16s
to F-35As.
Attachment – Responses to Questions dated May 15, 2019

Question 7: What is the side-by-side comparative schedule of the original timeline for the 5th
and 6th squadron arrivals/stand-up versus the “revised schedule?”

Response:
First Aircraft Arrivals at Luke AFB Original Schedule Revised Schedule
Squadron #5 Summer 2021 Winter 2022/2023
Squadron #6 Fall 2022 Summer 2026

Question 8: Why will there be a 5-year delay in completing the 144 F-35A fielding plan at Luke
AFB when the apron project is expected to be completed within 18 months?

Response: The five (now four) year delay in the stand-up of Luke AFB’s sixth squadron is
related to training demand. The Air Force will flow F-35A aircraft into Luke’s fifth squadron to
meet both USAF and Partner Nation training demand. This results in the fifth USAF F-35A
squadron stand up to begin in late 2022 / early 2023 and finish in 2025. The sixth squadron
stand-up is planned to begin in 2026 and be completed in 2028 to meet USAF training demand.

Question 9: Can you provide clarification on plans to retain F-16s currently at Luke AFB
during this delay?

Response: The Air Force will retain USAF F-16 Formal Training Units to mitigate the fighter
pilot shortage. In 2020 and 2023, some F-16 units will need to relocate to remain under the
maximum 170 aircraft limit.

Question 10: Can you provide confirmation that the apron expansion project will be fully
executed and the timeline for expected completion?

Response: Yes, the apron project is scheduled to be completed in 18 months.

Attachment – Responses to Questions dated May 15, 2019