An F-16 pilot from Tyndall AFB was killed last Thursday morning when his jet crashed into the Gulf of Mexico.
The pilot was civilian Matthew LaCourse, a retired USAF Lieutenant Colonel and 1978 US Air Force Academy graduate. LaCourse was a part of the 82nd Aerial Targets Squadron, which is the unit fielding the pilotless QF-16s as full-scale drones. He had previously topped 2,000 hours in the F-4/QF-4, which preceded the QF-16.
As with all mishaps, Read more
The following video captures the audio of a (genuine) 1966 spoof public affairs interview, in which a fighter pilot gives “real” answers to a reporter’s questions, and a Public Affairs officer then “translates,” with the repetitive lead-in, “what the Captain means…”
Some might say the “filter” from front line reality to the media portrayed in the piece is as true today as it was then.
Warning: The audio contains multiple profanities — in answer to every single question.
The video was reportedly created by two US Air Force PA officers.
The US Air Force announced the timing of its 2015 Undergraduate Flying Training (UFT) selection board. This board gives active duty officers the opportunity to transition to the flying field (which is more than just pilots):
Eligible active-duty officers interested in undergraduate flying training must apply by Dec. 19 to be considered by the UFT selection board for 2015/2016 training requirements in the pilot, remotely piloted aircraft, combat systems officer and air battle manager categories.
The requirements include age, time in service, medical and other limitations, though some may be waiverable.
Read the full release. Read more
According to the Air Force, an RAF Lakenheath F-15D Eagle pilot safely ejected and his plane crashed (in a “fireball,” according to a witness):
The pilot, with the 493rd Fighter Squadron, ejected and was brought back to the base with only minor injuries, a spokesman for the base said.
The F-15D is the two-seat version of the F-15C. The rear cockpit was presumably empty. Read more
From the Stars and Stripes:
Capt. Jonathan Mahan is the stereotypical fighter pilot: calm, confident, with a steely gaze and a sharp sense of humor. He has a cool nickname and a mustache so perfectly groomed that it would make “Top Gun” character Goose proud.
River has no doubt heard no end to the…praise…of his fellow fighter pilots for his portrayal in the article on the F-15.
Goose was Read more
After it just recently served as a surface-to-air target for the first time, the Air Force announced the first successful downing of the pilotless QF-16 drone:
The first unmanned QF-16 Viper struck down over the Gulf of Mexico Sept. 5 was part of a joint effort between the Test and Training Division at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla., and the 82nd Aerial Target Squadron here at Tyndall.
The QF-16 is slated to eventually replace the current QF-4 full-scale drones. Read more
The US Navy reported two F/A-18Cs crashed while flying from the USS Carl Vinson in the Pacific.
Two F/A-18 Hornets from Carrier Air Wing 17 embarked on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) crashed at 5:40 p.m. local time, today, while operating at sea in the western Pacific Ocean.
The F/A-18C is the single-seat version of the legacy Hornet. One pilot was “rapidly located” while a search was conducted for the second. The search was eventually suspended and the pilot, 26-year old Lt. Nathan Poloski, was declared presumed dead. The aircraft are believed to have collided.
Also at the Military Times (and updated). Read more
The QF-16 has been in testing for some time, but just recently flew its first official sortie as an aerial target for a test surface to air missile.
Video from Boeing: