Category Archives: Fighter Pilot

Combat from a Computer Console

The Houston Chronicle, via Military.com, has an article on Major Jon Stiles, a US Air Force Predator operator who flies out of Houston for the Texas Air National Guard.  The aircraft he controls are flying over Afghanistan and Iraq.

As similar articles have noted in the past, UAV/RPA operators certainly do not experience the same “combat” conditions as troops on the ground or even the aviators directly overhead.  That said, their actions can still have life and death impacts — immediately visible on the screen — as well as strategic implications.  There is certainly pressure and stress, though perhaps in a way not yet fully comprehended by the military.

Fighter Pilot Dies during Bible Study

The Air Force announced that US Air Force Captain Samuel Robertson, a 26 year old F-15 pilot stationed at RAF Lakenheath (UK), collapsed during a Bible study last week.  He was pronounced dead after being transported to a hospital, and the cause of death is under investigation.  From his wing commander:

“Our heart-felt condolences go out to Captain Robertson’s family, friends and coworkers.  He was a loving husband, a great friend and an outstanding Wingman.  His loss will be felt across our Air Force family. The Liberty Wing will provide untiring support and assistance to his family during this difficult time.”

Civilian Ejects from Fighter Aircraft

The US Navy has reported that a pilot successfully ejected from an A-4 Skyhawk at Fallon Naval Air Station.  The A-4 was owned by Airborne Tactical Advantage Co and flown by a civilian contract pilot.  The company was apparently on contract to provide Red Air for Naval aviator training at Fallon.

While civilian organizations flying military fighter aircraft are relatively rare (and they are often owned and/or composed almost entirely of former military members), there are a surprising number of civilian “fighter pilots” flying fighter aircraft either in or in support of the US military.

Alleged Wikileaks Source was Lonely, Angry…Humanist

The Defense Department has announced that 22 year old US Army Private First Class Bradley Manning has had “charges preferred” alleging multiple counts of improperly handling classified information.  According to prior reports, Manning admitted in internet chat rooms that he distributed the helicopter gunship video dubbed “collateral murder” as well as thousands of other secret files.

In an apparent attempt to humanize Manning, the Associated Press noted his “outcast” status among his peers:

With his custom-made “humanist” dog tags and distrust of authority, Bradley Manning was no conventional soldier.  Read more

Air Force Pilots told to Save Fuel

According to an Air Force Times article, the Air Force is directing its pilots to plan and conduct their missions more efficiently to save fuel.

Interestingly, while the article focuses on fighter pilots, fighter pilots are the ones least able to contribute to the fuel-saving effort.  LtGen William Rew noted that the restrictions on fuel consumption did not apply to the “combat phase of a training sortie.”  For a fighter, that would mean that the fuel-savings mentality would be valid for only a few minutes on each flight.

In addition, the “efficient” flying suggestions won’t necessarily change fuel consumption.  For example, the article notes that pilots are told to return home at 300 knots rather than 350 — but that assumes pilots were flying at the faster airspeed to begin with.  It also assumes the relative fuel burn between those two speeds is large enough to be Read more

Unmanned Capsule Misses Space Station

In an unusual incident, the Progress 38 resupply capsule from Russia, flew by the Space Station instead of docking with it.  The huge capsule was supposed to deliver 2.5 tons of materials to the station.  A second attempt a few days later was successful.

UAVs do occasionally have issues with communication or control, though most of the time failsafe devices enable the safe return of the vessel (or at least its safe destruction).

UAVs are becoming more ubiquitous, however, as more people are persuaded of their generally safe record.  If there are still concerns, however, with the “mishap” involving the huge “space UAV,” perhaps nano-UAVs the size of a hummingbird or smaller would be more comforting.

Gulf Oil Spill Impacts Pilot Training

It might not seem intuitive, but the burgeoning oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico has actually impacted training of US Air Force pilots.

Primary water survival training for Air Force pilots is conducted at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida.  Every pilot who goes through Air Force training spends a few weeks at Pensacola undergoing the open water training of the Gulf of Mexico.  It is also home to one of the more unique sights in the service: a boat with “US Air Force” on the side.

As of June 4, oil was discovered inside the training area; as a result, Read more

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