According to Navy releases, a US Navy T-45C Goshawk ran off the end of the runway at Kingsville Naval Air Station, Texas, on June 10th. The report indicated the successful ejection of a single pilot (the T-45C is a two-seat aircraft) with minor injuries. The accident will be investigated by the Navy.
The old marching tune that “there are no fighter pilots in [any of the services but the Air Force]” isn’t entirely true (though the Navy calls theirs “aviators,” since “pilots” drive the boat). However, in the short term, the Navy is having some issues creating pilots:
With hundreds of newly commissioned officers waiting to start flight training in Pensacola, Fla., the Navy is urging potential aviators to transfer into other communities or take temporary internships in Washington.
Apparently, aircraft issues (maintenance) have reduced the number of available aircraft, thus reducing the size of the Navy’s flight school pipeline. But that’s not the only Read more
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.
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.
The F-15C Eagle, the US Air Force’s only dedicated air superiority fighter, has just seen its last class of students graduate, at least on the active duty side. The five-man B-course graduated May 14th. The Oregon National Guard will continue to train Guard pilots, at least until the Air Force finally retires the Eagle.
Their graduation speaker was retired Brigadier General Steve Ritchie, the only Air Force officer to become an ace in Vietnam.
The Tyndall B-course was also the scene for American Fighter Pilot (reviewed here), a short-lived “reality” series following a trio of students through training.
According to an official press release, an A-10 pilot ejected from his aircraft during takeoff at Moody AFB, Georgia, on Monday. He was reportedly hospitalized. The aircraft came to rest between the runways.
No further information is available, nor will there likely be for at least 30 days.
The Air Force Times reports on comments from troops in Afghanistan that the restrictions on airstrikes over the past year have emboldened the adversary. While the mere sight of B-52 contrails was once enough to send the enemy scurrying, they now often ignore armed fighters directly overhead.
The Taliban no longer run and hide when they see a fighter jet overhead, brazenness that airmen attribute to the nearly year-old directive to limit close-air support.
[JTACs] and fighter pilots report that insurgents are encouraging Read more
Air Force Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz has apparently said the Air Force is buying light attack aircraft — like the AT-6 — but not for its own use, as some thought late last year.
“What you’re suggesting here is we need a light strike, light attack platform to perform our organic requirements and I would argue that there is a limited need for that. Again, with the platforms that we already have in our force structure, in our capability, we can service any close-air support requirement. As simple as that”…
The Air Force’s sole purpose for buying the light aircraft, Schwartz said, is to help poorer nations such as Iraq and Afghanistan establish Read more