_Deez_
USAF Pilot
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As you mentioned, BogiDope does a great job offering resources and preparation for the fundamentals that are applicable for ANG, AFR, or AD.
Alright, I’ll cut to the Growler points now:
The USAF program at NAS Whidbey Island traces back a little over 20 years. The unit has had various names over this time and is currently known as the 390th Electronic Combat Squadron. You will find alumni in USN and USAF organizations all over.
Currently the 390th ECS hosts pilots and EWOs from various backgrounds.
With regards to pilots:
We have a variety of pilots here now from first assignment to very seasoned pilots who also used to be EWOs. Since you’re looking at pipeline drops, the USAF targets about 2 per fiscal year. This can be from any of the CONUS training locations to include ENJJPT.
You will need to track fighter/bombers from T-6s and then perform well enough to get designated as fighter/FAIP qualed for drop consideration. If you do well, and show a serious interest in Growlers (aka verbalize it and have it in your top 3 choices), they will coordinate with bases to see if there is a drop out there they can get for you. Remember though, if AFPC didn’t give one out then there’s not much they can do. Timing/needs can be fickle like that.
Post UPT drop you’ll be treated as an F-16 pilot candidate for Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF) purposes. Since your return platform isn’t guaranteed, you are trained as a single seat multi-role fighter pilot. Then there’s a luxury stay at SERE waiting for you and you’ll be off to the 390th ECS at Whidbey to start their FTU equivalent known as the RAG with VAQ-129.
It’ll be a three year controlled tour and you have to accept that your career will be forever altered by accepting this assignment. Since it’s so unique, you are departing the golden path and have to accept that the AF does not view you as qualified in an MDS during these three years. They don’t have an AFSC subshred for EA-18Gs, so you’ll be designated as a Fighter Pilot – General. During this time the USAF cannot pull you for 365 deployments or random BS unless it’s for Professional Development like Squadron Officer School.
You will start with -129 a few weeks after arrival. I cannot emphasize enough how important it will be to lean into your Navy RAG classmate’s knowledge. They have trained differently for years and it’s catchup time for you. You will learn to speak the lingo and fly their way for these years. So, do your best to transfer the knowledge that applies and dump the rest. The faster you just accept how they do things and don’t question it, the better your performance/life will be. It’s running about 12 months for -129 right now and then you’ll be assigned to a Navy Expeditionary Fleet Squadron. The only USAF pilot to do the boat portion was destined for a Navy Test Sq, so don’t ask.
Your operational/fleet squadron will be where you can finally integrate. The expeditionary squadrons focus on integration with USAF, USA, and the USMC. Your squadron’s major logistics will be supported by AF members embedded at the Wing here. Your AF connectivity and bros in other AF squadrons will be a great asset at various Large Force Exercises. You will be on a compressed timeline to finish syllabus levels compared to your Navy counterparts. As you only have 2 years to get the syllabus quals you need as opposed to the Navy’s typical 3-ish year rotation for Junior Officers (CGOs). Just be part of the team and crush any ground job you’re given. The rest will fall in line if you advocate for your training opportunities as you see them.
Your return assignment should be an F-35, but never bank on that. Needs of the AF have sent people to the 15E, 16, 22, and 35. It all depends on FTU availability and to a much lesser extent your preference. So just prepare yourself mentally for an ops to ops assignment.
With budgets getting tighter and continuing overlap between services in the threat environment, your knowledge out of this tour will be invaluable. This is the place to learn tactical airborne electronic attack, and despite any bads, I would recommend this experience to any pilot training for today’s fight. There’s a much longer discussion about this topic for another time.
Good luck and hit me up any time with USAF questions.