Carrier Duty for Air Force Pilots: Can it be done?
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I've heard some Navy pilots have flown with the AF (in F-16s for example) in an "exchange program". Not sure what this is, but it seems interesting to me. I want to join the Air Force, and maybe get some carrier time but I'm not sure if the program is one way only (i.e. only Navy pilots can cross into the AF, not the other way around). So is it possible for an Air Force pilot to get assigned to a Carrier for a period of time?
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A few CIA pilots were U-2 carrier qualified pilots.
http://www.spyflight.co.uk/u-2s.htm
http://www.spyflight.co.uk/u-2s.htm
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The F-16s in the Navy now are for the Top Gun School as aggressors. That's why Navy guys are flying with the AF so they can learn the F-16. I'm not sure about AF guys getting any carrier time...I've never heard of that and I imagine the possibility would be very slim.
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Weasel_Keeper wrote:The F-16s in the Navy now are for the Top Gun School as aggressors. That's why Navy guys are flying with the AF so they can learn the F-16. I'm not sure about AF guys getting any carrier time...I've never heard of that and I imagine the possibility would be very slim.
As I stated above...there are plenty of pilot exchange programs out there. We are not talking about a specific airframe...If you've never heard of pilot exchange programs, you can simply search the net...there are plenty of stories out there.
Weasel_Keeper wrote:.... I'm not sure about AF guys getting any carrier time...I've never heard of that and I imagine the possibility would be very slim.
Check out this "Airman" article from early '97.
When the EF-111s were retired in 1996, USAF crews were goin' into Prowler cockpits and at least one all-USAF crew got carrier-qual'd. Not sure if USAF crews are still flyin' Prowlers regularly tho. They did it at first as an interim measure until EB-52s or EB-1s came online, which hasn't happened.....yet.
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LinkF16SimDude wrote:Weasel_Keeper wrote:.... I'm not sure about AF guys getting any carrier time...I've never heard of that and I imagine the possibility would be very slim.
Check out this "Airman" article from early '97.
When the EF-111s were retired in 1996, USAF crews were goin' into Prowler cockpits and at least one all-USAF crew got carrier-qual'd. Not sure if USAF crews are still flyin' Prowlers regularly tho. They did it at first as an interim measure until EB-52s or EB-1s came online, which hasn't happened.....yet.
At last check there were 19 squadrons of EA6B's 15 USN and 4 USMC.
USAF pilots do serve with them, see the article by Capt. Carlton Keen USAF in the April 2004 issue of Combat Edge titled "Just say it: a new EA-6B Pilot completes his check ride with the low fuel light on … to avoid a contest of wills"
Getting selected for an exchange tour requires a lot of work and dedication on your part, if you want to go for one be prepared for a tough fight.
WOrked with an Eagle Driver in DC that had done an exchange tour with an F/A-18 RAG. He got his 10 cats/traps to be fully qualified and then never hit the boat again. His job was to teach F-18 guys how to drive...not land. However, carrier qual gave him credibility.
Roscoe
F-16 Program Manager
USAF Test Pilot School 92A
"It's time to get medieval, I'm goin' in for guns" - Dos Gringos
F-16 Program Manager
USAF Test Pilot School 92A
"It's time to get medieval, I'm goin' in for guns" - Dos Gringos
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I don't know exactly how often, but it definitely happens.
There was at least one USAF pilot who did an exchange tour with an F-14 squadron back in the Tomcat days, complete with CarQuals, I read about him in one of the Tomcat retirement books-he was joking about getting used to being graded on every landing and how they don't do that in the Air Force.
There have been several USAF guys on cruise with Hornet and Superhornet squadrons.
It would be just like any other exchange; you'd have to qualify in whatever airframe the other guy uses, including all aspects of handling the jet.
-Mike
There was at least one USAF pilot who did an exchange tour with an F-14 squadron back in the Tomcat days, complete with CarQuals, I read about him in one of the Tomcat retirement books-he was joking about getting used to being graded on every landing and how they don't do that in the Air Force.
There have been several USAF guys on cruise with Hornet and Superhornet squadrons.
It would be just like any other exchange; you'd have to qualify in whatever airframe the other guy uses, including all aspects of handling the jet.
-Mike
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Yes it can be done. We had an F-15C guy in my air wing, flying as a fleet guy. Did two cruises, and bagged over 200 traps in the Hornet.
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