Forum: Careers & Assignments

Has anyone here ever transferred from a heavy airframe base to a fighter base as an engine mechanic? If so, what kind of retraining did this entail? how long did it take?

Thanks.

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I am about to change too, but I am going from the Viper to the Buff. Crying or Very sad

In some ways I went the other way: worked F-16's while in, once I got out I worked for Lockheed Martin on KC-10's, P-3's and C-130's. I was a lot more familiar with my F-100 and F-110's than I was around the T-56's in the 130 and P-3's. The actual training wasn't difficult (probably, in my opinion, easier to go from t-props to 'jets') but it took some time to become comfortable. I never really gave the intake a second thought on my F-16 (except for one time when I went between the tank and the intake during a launch as a 3 level - nearby flight chief 'counciled' me...) but I never became comfortable around the spinning prop.

The largest change you may find is the difference in the Unit itself - there seems to be a lot of difference between airlift or bomber crews, and tactical crews (both ground and air).

Mike

Hi Wender!

I went from 16s to 130s as a fighter crew chief and found the cultural adaptation from a single seat to a crew airplane, as well as the mission difference to be the biggest hurdles.

From what I've seen they'll train you in the FTD on the Turbofans and Jet Fuel Starters they use, and the engine swap process, maybe some trim pad work. Good training to enhance what you already know.

You didnt mention what branch of the Air Force your are in Active? Reserve? I know in the Reserves you would need to go back to Tech School. Unless you can show previous experience. And have the school wavied.

Where's Egroll, he's the one who would know. I think he just went from KC-135's to Vipers in Korea.

Forum: Careers & Assignments

Tranferring from C-130 to F-15 base