Originally Posted by
Tanker-driver
How often do you guys deploy? How does the AEF concept work out for you guys? How many of you go to a predator or ALO assignment after your first tour, and how many of THOSE guys eventually return to a fighter cockpit?
In the F-15E community, the majority of guys will deploy once or twice on their first tour for 120 days each. Most of those guys will do an ALFA tours as their 2nd tour, and then come back to the jet on their 3rd tour.
I was a T-38 IP on my ALFA tour.
I've been very fortunate, apparently. I've been on active duty 12 years and deployed overseas a grand total of twice.
I'm guessing that the view from guys who have only been flying on AD after 9/11, and after the deployment pace picked up in '03, see things a lot differently than I do.