F-35 Gouge
Team-
I’m Poo-P.
I’m a Marine Corps F-35B pilot, and starting this discussion board for the future aviators in the audience who seek to fly the world’s most lethal and technologically advanced fighter. Happy to answer any questions you all may have about my superior platform.
If you have Navy/Marine Corps specific questions, hit me up in that group.
- 7 Replies
Hello sir!
Currently at USAF OTS eyeing the F35 in the future. SEAD, CAS, and the Sandy mission are the three missions that speak to me the most. With the A-10 going away, does the F-35 syllabus support full-scale CAS after the A-10 winds down, or is it a Big Blue pipedream that the F-35 is an adequate replacement?
Thanks,
DerekDude those are great questions and truthfully the USAF is struggling to answer. .
I’m an F-16 FAC(A) (Misty) and so CAS is my bread and butter but F-16 FACs are relatively uncommon and even rarer of the F-35 side.
The SEAD (weasel) mission is definitely transitioning to the F-35.
CSAR (Sandy) has traditionally been a A-10 only mission. We looked at transitioning it to other platforms but there’s no clear successor. So stay tuned to see what happens.
I think the F-35 will dominate the USAF primary missions of Air interdiction, Counter Air (including SEAD) and strategic attack. CAS, FAC(A) and CSAR I think those stay with 4th gen for the time being.
but the enemy gets a vote so stay frosty.
Hit my smoke!
Death on call!
I’m 39 in the Inactive Ready Reserves (Air Force) and made O-4 last October (late bloomer long story and Aircraft Maintenance Officer looking to fly). I see there is an F-35 UFT slot available. Is it realistic to take a shot at it or stick with shooting for RPAs due to age?
The only way to guarantee a “no” is to not apply, but the unfortunate reality is that it will be highly unlikely based on your age.
Age waivers are possible, but we’ve never seen someone get hired for an initial fighter slot ~40 yrs old. You could be the first, but your time & effort are probably better spent targeting a different path.
Being a MXO on Raptors, I’ve heard it’s a “young mans game” so I completely understand and thanks!
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