Tag Archives: air force

Fighter Pilots Fly All-Female Combat Mission

Remember that conversation about the military not always hyping gender?

With an eye to Women’s History Month, an F-15E Strike Eagle unit in Afghanistan recently orchestrated an “all-female” mission.  Two F-15Es were flown by two female pilots and two female weapons systems operators.  Though not all the other personnel are named, the rest of the mission support, generation, and planning was also “carefully planned” to be done “entirely by females:” Read more

A-10 Crashes in Germany, Harrier Down in Mideast, 2 UAVs in US

An A-10 Thunderbolt II (Warthog) crashed near Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany, on Friday, according to the US Air Force.  The pilot ejected and was airlifted to a hospital; locals said he complained of a back injury.  As is the usual procedure, the incident will be investigated and a report issued in a month or more.

The A-10 has recently been used in Libya, most publicly attacking boats along the coast.

The Marine Times reports an AV-8B Read more

Fighter Pilot Describes Mission over Libya

As reported in the New York Times, US Air Force Capt. Ryan Thulin, an F-16 pilot stationed in Aviano Air Base, Italy, describes his recent (and first) combat mission, over Libya.

Of note, he flew an 8-hour mission out of Italy, refueling at least twice on the way in and the way out.  He dropped at least two 500-lb precision weapons on targets in Libya.

The Associated Press picture of Thulin accompanying the article shows him sporting a mustache.  He’s not participating in the fighter pilot tradition of growing a mustache while deployed, as he’s flying from his home base.  It’s just coincident timing:  the war in Libya occurred during Mustache March.

As an aside, the New York Times reports A-10s and AC-130s have entered the theatre, which may represent a shift in strategy from the generally high-altitude precision bombardment that has happened to date.

SNAPs and the Fighter Pilot Culture Live On

A fighter pilot discussing the state of the Air Force recently lamented the rise of SNAPs in the fighter pilot culture.

POS commanders are out there…who care more about Green Bag Bible Study than they do about having a normal roll call in the squadron every once in a while. Douchebags that stand in the corner and wince when I correct a punk who starts singing by interrupting and asking “how does every good fighter pilot song start?” [Ed: The answer to that question is not for polite company…]

And they take care of their own. The SNAPs who refuse to drink out of principle and scoff when others do, Read more

Air Force Pilots Punished After Flyby

A variety of sources report that six US Air Force pilots were punished over the 20 November 2010 flyby of the Iowa-Ohio State football game.  (Four flew the aircraft, two acted as ground coordinators.)  Soon after the event, it emerged the pilots may have been below required minimum altitudes.

The flight lead of the four-ship of T-38s, Maj Chris Kopacek, reportedly agreed to a deal including a reprimand and a voluntary removal from flight status to avoid a court martial.  He also signed a waiver of his privacy rights, allowing the Air Force to publicize its response to his actions.  From the Associated Press:  Read more

US Fighter Downed in Libya

According to the US Air Force, an F-15E Strike Eagle went down in Libya due to an “equipment malfunction.”  Both crewmembers are “back in US hands” after the pilot was retrieved by US Marines and the WSO was “recovered” by Libyan rebels.

Two crew members ejected from their U.S. Air Force F-15E Strike Eagle when the aircraft experienced equipment malfunction over northeast, Libya, March 21, at approximately 10:30 p.m. CET.

Both crew members ejected and are safe.

The press release also revealed that the aircraft was flying out of Aviano Air Base in Italy, home to other American units including an F-16 fighter unit.

Civilians, Corporations Picking up Military Traditions

A military news release noted Brig Gen Mark Corson handing out “commander’s coins” for excellence in February.

The…soldiers received the coins for their dedication to mission success by Brig. Gen. Mark Corson.

[Cpl Steven] Teel explained what it meant to him to receive the coin. “To be able to serve in so many different positions and be successful in the position is an honor in itself,” he said.

The Washington Post notes both the tradition of such coins (or “RMOs” in fighter pilot parlance) and increasing indications they have become a “copycat fad” in the rest of society:

“Challenge coins,” as they are known, have Read more

T-38 Passes 50 Years of Air Force Service

An Air Force article notes that the T-38 Talon, the Air Force’s primary jet trainer, has just passed 50 years of service.  To put that in perspective, the Air Force was only 14 years old, the Korean armistice wasn’t even a decade old, and most people probably didn’t know where Vietnam was yet.

The Air Force has indicated it will eventually begin an official search for a replacement trainer.

The T-38 isn’t the oldest aircraft in the inventory.  The B-52 is approaching 60 years of service.

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