Category Archives: Fighter Pilot

Constitution Day, 2010

On 17 September 1787 the Constitution of the United States was signed by the delegates of the convention meeting in Pennsylvania.  It would be many months of long debate before the Constitution was ratified.

American military officers are perhaps unique in their sworn allegiance not to their commanders, and not to the President, but to the US Constitution:

I…do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign or domestic, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same…

Though amended through time, the US Constitution represents both the founding and continuation of a free nation without peer in the world.

Air Force Seeks Money from Drop-Outs, Pilot Wash Outs

An Air Force Times report notes the Air Force has fallen behind its efforts to recoup money from people who quit the Air Force Academy during their junior and senior years.  Those who quit any of the military academies after their first two years are obligated to repay the government for their education; their obligation is even formalized in a “commitment” ceremony at the start of their junior year.

More interestingly, however, Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz has said that the Air Force may seek to recoup money from recent graduates as well.  According to the report, as many as 18 new Lieutenants may have washed out of their respective schools, including pilot training.  Rather than train Read more

Air Force Looking to Replace T-38s

Update: European-based BAE has proposed its Hawk to replace the T-38.

The US Air Force has already replaced its primary training aircraft:  The T-37 has now been replaced by the T-6.  The T-38 is the second tier of basic pilot training, the aircraft in which all fighter pilots (and sometimes bomber pilots, depending on what year students attended) complete pilot training.  A report out at the Air Force Times indicates the Air Force is “looking to replace” the jet trainer.  Given the age of the planes and the horizon of the acquisition process, it might be a statement of the obvious.

The 50 year old T-38s have already been updated with advanced avionics and even completely new ejection systems.  Updates don’t make the aircraft any newer, however, and the aging fleet of T-38s will ultimately need to be replaced.

A-10 Crash Blamed on Pilot Error

The crash of an A-10C Thunderbolt II (aka Warthog) at Moody AFB in May has been attributed to “human error,” according to an Air Force press release.

According to the report, the cause of the mishap was specifically attributed to the pilot’s initial decision not to abort the takeoff. After deciding to abort, the pilot applied an inappropriate braking procedure based on his perception of being at a lower airspeed. Additionally, pilot-static [sic, pitot-static] system blockage, task misprioritization, distraction and procedural error were all substantially contributing factors to the mishap.

The months long turn around in the publication of the results of the investigation is not without precedent.

Combat Mission in Iraq Ends, Combat Pay Doesn’t

In the wake of the announcements that the combat mission in Iraq has “ended,” the US military took some pains to acknowledge that its troops still serve in a combat zone, and their combat and incentive pays will continue:

Servicemembers deployed to Iraq will still receive hostile fire/imminent danger pay, hardship-duty pay, and incidental expenses. Some troops will qualify for family separation allowances. Also, all pay for warrant officers and enlisted members is tax exempt, while officers are exempt from taxes for up to $7,611.30 each month they serve in an eligible area.

“These pays compensate a member for the arduous conditions and additional burdens and dangers associated with being deployed to a combat zone,” Eileen Lainez said.

According to the article, the special pays and tax-exclusion are in effect due to the region’s status as a “combat zone,” which is declared by virtue of Presidential executive order.  Of course, the fact that combat continues in Iraq isn’t lost on most people.)

In that regard, despite the “end” of the combat mission, servicemembers will continue to receive combat pay until President Obama alters the status of Iraq as a combat zone.

F-16 Destroyed in Explosion. On Purpose.

According to an Air Force press release, an F-16 was intentionally blown up as part of an ongoing program to convert the F-16s to QF-16 target/drones.  The explosion was apparently a part of the test of the “flight termination system,” or the kill switch that allows a controller to destroy a wayward unmanned vehicle.  (Perhaps one flying into DC’s airspace?)

The first QF-16 is scheduled to be delivered in 2014. The QF-16 will replace the QF-4, the third generation full-scale aerial target drone.

Final Shuttle Wakeup Songs to be Chosen, Written by Public

NASA has announced that the public has an opportunity to choose the “wake up songs” for the last two Space Shuttle missions.  STS-133, which is slated for a November 2010 launch, currently has a list of 40 previously played songs upon which the public can vote.  (God of Wonders does not appear to be on the list, nor any of the songs by Newsboys or MercyMe previously played.)

In addition, the public can submit original music for the February 2011 launch of STS-134, which is slated to be the last Space Shuttle launch ever.

The song “contest” can be accessed directly here.

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