In my post last week I spoke about the repercussions long deployments were having on the lifespan of 4th Generation fighter platforms like the F-16. Well, this week I found an article talking about exactly that!
Check this article out about how the Air Force may start buying vipers again to offset the divesture of old F-16s due to hours on their wings.
Again, if you guys are waiting to get a pilot seat in the Air Force, my best advice is;
Be Hungry, Be Ready. Your time is coming!
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/air-force-eyes-new-build-f-16s-to-boost-fighter-force/
Why have I not been using office hours earlier??? I guess it's better to learn my lesson now than later! Just got out of office hours with Smack and a few others who joined to ask questions. In that 45-minute conversation, 3 major questions I had were answered, and I was able to optimize my app strategy. So simple. So efficient. Thanks, Smack!
New time for tonight’s office hours
BD, grab a beer and join me for Office Hours tomorrow, 17 Sep at 8 PM EST. Bring questions, issues, or just come to hang out. See you there!
Office Hours
Thursday, September 17 · 6:00 – 7:00pm
Time zone: America/Denver
Google Meet joining info
Video call link: https://meet.google.com/dpc-azdx-gqc
Or dial: (US) +1 669-241-2870 PIN: 432 512 043#
More phone numbers: https://tel.meet/dpc-azdx-gqc?pin=2840516929484
Congrats to our newest Bogidope UPT hire who just found out they will be flying C-17s for the WV ANG!!
BD Fam,
Check out this article from Big Blue on the latest from the UPT arena.
I know most of you have been trying to follow the ever-changing landscape of pilot training over the past few years. Hopefully, this adds some clarity as the Air Force graduates the first few classes under the FUPT construct.
Cheers!
-CHAOS
In 2025 fitness testing and policy through the Department of War shifted to incorporate gender neutral testing for combat arms, as well as bring back more stringent and mission-driven fitness policies. For most fighter pilots, the only noticeable change was that even if they scored above a "90%" on their fitness test, they still will need to test every 6 months to ensure they are "fit to fight."
In the last month, active duty, reserve and guard squadrons have been attempting to incorporate additional regulation and oversight into fitness programs. In my squadron, we are now required to "log" our gym sessions in the fighter pilot gym. Official DoW policy is that members are required to do vigorous physical activity/exercise every duty day. On days where you are spending 9 hours in the vault prepping, briefing and debriefing, while spending 3 hours in the airplane--it can be tough to prioritize getting to the gym. Our squadron requires logging 2x sessions a week in the fighter pilot gym, and personal accountability for the additional duty days of how you incorporate your physical activity for the day.
One way to get any fighter pilot to do something is to make it competitive. Over the past month my squadron members have started tracking each other's time and it's become quite competitive between fighter pilots and the sister squadrons as to who is logging the most gym time. Fighter pilots never do anything half-way. If we do it, we do it right.
How do you compete? Are you prepared for the DoW's fitness policy? What is one thing -fitness wise-you've done this month that you are proud of? Mine is logging 30 running miles last month.
Fights On!
As an applicant I sometimes wondered why it took so long to hear back from particular units, their pilots or hiring POCs. It wasn't until after I get hired that I truly began to understand the daily life of both a fighter squadron and her pilots.
In today's environment, the ANG and AFRC are being deployed on a pace I have never seen before in my 15 year career. Guard/Reserve units are being deployed for 6+months to backfill AD squadrons who have been deployed for a year or more. This nearly doubles the average total length of deployments for Guard/Reserve and Active Duty alike.
The result of this has ripple effects all across the Air Force. This results in significantly sped up divestiture of legacy 4th Gen platforms like the F-16 due to a rapid increase in hours being flown in a 5th Gen acquisition environment tailored for peace time. This results in experienced pilots at the end of their commitment leaving the military after years of long deployments seeking greener pastures in a quieter civilian life. Reference the record amount of "Rated" boards on MilRecruiter. And as these units return from combat with fewer airplanes to fly, and fewer pilots to fly them, look for strong Squadron Leadership to not only petition hard for new airplanes, but also to re-arm their squadrons with young, healthy and motivated young men & women through the UPT process.
Bottom Line: Be hungry, be patient.
Fights On!
https://www.airandspaceforces.com/us-fighter-jets-rotate-middle-east-iran/
I was the Submarine Squadron 3 Operations Officer at the Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii on September 11, 2001. This Honolulu Advertiser picture stayed on my bulletin board during the remaining two years of my extended tour there. It was the motivation for the 12–14 hour days that followed getting six submarines deployed in a record eight months.
One of my submarines, the USS Key West (SSN 722), was the first submarine to launch Tomahawk missiles into Afghanistan in October 2001. We turned her around quickly, and she later fired into Iraq in March 2003. These were the first back-to-back combat operations patrols conducted by a submarine since WWII.
My other two submarines, the USS Louisville (SSN 724) and the USS Columbia (SSN 771), launched that March as well. My three subs launched more Tomahawks than any other submarine squadron in the world, 61 total. One of my proudest possessions is a Louisville slugger, signed by all of the Louisville officers, presented to me when the boat returned from that 2003 deployment.
As new threats continue to evolve around the world, from many sources and directions, we must NEVER FORGET this unprecedented and unwarranted attack on our nation.
