Maj. Brad Zimmerman, 33d Operations Support Squadron

Maj. Brad Zimmerman, 33d Operations Support Squadron assistant chief of weapons, exits the cockpit of an F-35A Lightning II after a combat training sortie in exercise Checkered Flag Dec. 8, 2016, at Tyndall Air Force Base, Florida. The 33d Fighter Wing deployed six F-35A Lightning II and 95 personnel to Checkered Flag 17-1. Checkered Flag is a combat rehearsal where 15 aircraft platforms take to the skies to fly realistic and large-scale operations to prepare for contingency operations. Specifically, this exercise tested the range of capabilities for the F-35A and the 33 FW student and instructor pilots, maintainers, air battle managers and intelligence officers by operating from two locations. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Peter Thompson)