60th FS executes Lonestar Lightning Published Aug. 4, 2025 By Airman 1st Class Reagan Hardy 33rd Fighter Wing NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- The 60th Fighter Squadron, 33rd Fighter Wing, Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, participated in training exercise Lonestar Lightning in Fort Worth, Texas, from July 11-24, 2025. Texas provided unique airspace and challenges to the pilots and maintainers and helped increase overall readiness, adaptability, and lethality. “Fort Worth airspace is going to differ a lot from Eglin,” said U.S. Air Force Capt. Connor Amundson, 60th FS instructor pilot. “There is so much more room for activities now that we’re out here fighting in the airspace that Fort Worth provides.” Pilots spent nearly two weeks maximizing use of the airspace while working to achieve their training goals. During this exercise, the Crows completed 117 out of 112 sorties, increasing the fly rate by four percent. “We have to let them spread their wings and fly,” said Amundson. “That is the overall mission of getting our folks out here for getting them on-time, quality training.” The mission would not be complete without the efforts of the maintainers led by Master Sgt. Benjamin Taylor, 60th Aircraft Maintenance Unit section chief. Despite being in a different environment, the 60th AMU ensured the jets were ready to go, so the pilots could complete their training on time. “Operating in a TDY environment, we get to put the iron where the heat is at, push pilots through, and really streamline their approach,” explained Taylor. The off-station training promoted readiness within the 60th FS and AMU by offering distinctive training opportunities, such as joint-service operations and close air support missions. “Here at this base, we’re working with the Navy and the 301st Fighter Wing, and so it’s really teaching our Airmen, from a Total Force Integration approach, how to work across the lines and operate as a ‘one team, one fight’ solution,” said Taylor. Exercises like this often create opportunities that increase the unit's morale, so that airmen can put their best foot forward to accomplish the mission at hand. “TDYs organically produce the best results, because morale is the highest amongst everyone,” Amundson explained. “When we’re able to get people excited to be showing up, excited to be doing the mission, it’s going to yield the best results for everyone.” With the conclusion of Lonestar Lightning, the 33rd FW saw another bounty of success forging future combat airpower.