Carrier Duty for Air Force Pilots: Can it be done?

Looking to change career fields or contemplating to request a new assignment? Here's where you find out if the grass really is greener on the other side...
Forum Veteran
Forum Veteran
 
Posts: 763
Joined: 31 May 2007, 21:46

by Tinito_16 » 26 Dec 2007, 18:16

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?
"Like the coldest winter chill, heaven beside you...hell within" Alice In Chains


Elite 1K
Elite 1K
 
Posts: 1525
Joined: 20 Jul 2005, 04:28
Location: Langley AFB, VA

by checksixx » 26 Dec 2007, 18:23

Yes...there are exchange programs between all services and even foreign services.


Forum Veteran
Forum Veteran
 
Posts: 758
Joined: 15 Dec 2006, 00:28

by ATFS_Crash » 26 Dec 2007, 18:38

A few CIA pilots were U-2 carrier qualified pilots. ;)
http://www.spyflight.co.uk/u-2s.htm


Senior member
Senior member
 
Posts: 362
Joined: 24 Nov 2006, 21:18

by Weasel_Keeper » 26 Dec 2007, 21:02

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.
Cave Putorium!
SoWW #2485


Elite 1K
Elite 1K
 
Posts: 1525
Joined: 20 Jul 2005, 04:28
Location: Langley AFB, VA

by checksixx » 26 Dec 2007, 21:51

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.


User avatar
Elite 2K
Elite 2K
 
Posts: 2543
Joined: 31 Jan 2004, 19:18
Location: SW Tenn.

by LinkF16SimDude » 26 Dec 2007, 22:13

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.
Why does "monosyllabic" have 5 syllables?


Enthusiast
Enthusiast
 
Posts: 49
Joined: 20 Aug 2007, 21:12

by DORF » 26 Dec 2007, 23:07

We had a NAvy pilot when I was stationed at Hill and I knew a F-16 pilot that had flown F/A-18s with the Navy. So yes it happens regularly.


Forum Veteran
Forum Veteran
 
Posts: 808
Joined: 30 Jul 2005, 11:38

by akruse21 » 27 Dec 2007, 00:23

Had a cool navy guy in our 15's at Kadena.


Forum Veteran
Forum Veteran
 
Posts: 863
Joined: 30 Aug 2005, 02:11

by asiatrails » 27 Dec 2007, 02:50

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.


User avatar
Elite 1K
Elite 1K
 
Posts: 1393
Joined: 29 Jun 2004, 20:14
Location: Cheyenne WY

by Roscoe » 30 Dec 2007, 07:41

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


Newbie
Newbie
 
Posts: 1
Joined: 30 Dec 2007, 17:17

by Sunliner » 30 Dec 2007, 17:23

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


Newbie
Newbie
 
Posts: 1
Joined: 03 Feb 2010, 08:52

by hornetdood » 03 Feb 2010, 08:54

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.



Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 1 guest