Category Archives: Fighter Pilot

Fighter Pilot Traditions: The Doofer Book

What’s a doofer book?  Generally, its a running compilation of the missteps of the members of the squadron. They are most interesting when kept during deployments and often become a unique collection of history (and often humor) for a unit.

There are few rules, either about content or language — the only criterion is that the story must be at least 10% true. Doofer books have largely fallen victim to political sensitivity.  More detail can be found in the relevant section of this article on Fighter Pilot Traditions.

This definition is part of ChristianFighterPilot.com’s Fighter Pilot Speak, a veritable Rosetta stone of aviator lingo.  Browse the terminology of the zipper suited sun gods, and submit any omissions you may find.

Christian Fighter Pilot, Super Bowl Winner Mentors Officers

2Lt Ben Garland, a recent Academy graduate, apparently has an assignment to pilot training that he is reconsidering.  If he changes his mind and does something else instead, he could avoid the 10 year minimum commitment to the Air Force for pilot training and do something else he loves: play in the NFL.

Garland has received counsel from at least one other person who was in a similar situation many years ago, a man who is famous in both the Air Force and the NFL:  Chad Hennings, a Christian fighter pilot Read more

Marine Fighter Pilot Charged with Stealing $440K

In the initial stages of both the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the US used (and often still uses today) large quantities of cash for a variety of purposes, from paying for reconstruction to compensating local nationals.

A Marine F-5 fighter pilot now stands accused of stealing $440,000 of reconstruction funds while he was a project purchasing officer with a civil affairs group in Iraq.  For a point of reference, a Major in the US military makes approximately $70,000 per year in base pay before taxes.

Regardless of the outcome of this particular case, it stands as a stark Read more

Cool Fighter Pilot Jobs

While most people know about the stereotypical fighter pilot roles (shoot down the bad guys, drop bombs in support of the Army), few know of the very unique opportunities fighter pilots have.  Like seeing a space shuttle launch.  From overhead the launch pad.

F-15Es from Seymour Johnson were tasked to protect the airspace around the shuttle launch.  So, of course, they had to watch it…

USAF Fighter Pilot.  One of the coolest jobs in the world.

Join the Air Force. Fly a Soviet Helicopter.

US Air Force Maj. Caleb Nimmo became the first American to fly the Soviet-export Mi-35 Hind on a combat mission.  In what appears to be an eclectic career, the Major has also flown UH-1s, T-6 Texans, and the MV-22 Osprey.

According to the official Air Force article, the Air Force flies the Mi-35 as an “enemy” during Red Flag.  Nimmo learned to fly the Hind from a civilian contractor in the US and received additional training with the Czech Republic.

Navy Begins Training in T-6B

A recent Navy news release notes the beginning of “naval aviator” (ie, pilot) training in its new T-6B.  The Navy has had the T-6A for some time, but only recently acquired the upgraded version.

The T-6 Texan II program was intended to be a joint effort between the Navy and Air Force to develop a common pilot training aircraft.  In fact, the development program was even entitled the Joint Primary Aircraft Training System (JPATS).

After receiving 47 T-6As, however, it appears the Navy has decided to obtain the rest of its fleet as T-6Bs, which have flat screen displays, advanced avionics, a HUD, and advanced controls.  It will ultimately fly over 300 T-6 airframes.  The Air Force, which has no current plans to acquire the T-6B, will have approximately 450 T-6As.

Soldiers Get High-Powered, High-Tech Toys

While the Air Force is often maligned for its reliance on technology, it is far from the only service to do so.  US Navy vessels boast some of the most advanced technology in the world on several fronts, and the US Army is no slacker either.  A recent report noted that Special Forces will soon be fielding the XM-25.

The XM-25 is a 25mm projectile rifle that uses a computed sight to determine the range to the target; it then programs the projectile to airburst above Read more

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