Allmach

PURPOSE: Update Combat Air Forces (CAF) on the latest developments in the USAF's efforts to produce, absorb, and retain fighter pilots (1 lFs).

DISCUSSION: In September 2015, the CSAF directed a Fighter Enterprise Redesign (FER) to develop a strategic plan for a sustainable fighter force. The FER team subsequently conducted AFS021 events; Fighter Squadron
Quality of Life (QoL) Surveys; and l lF pre-separation interviews. Actions below address items identified during
these events. Efforts fall into retaining pilots, reducing requirements, and increasing production and absorption of
new pilots. Note color key and contact info at page bottom.
- INCREASE RETENTION: Mitigate key retention factors: Low home-station quality of life/quality of
service and assignment process with low incentives for voluntary participation
Additional duties: AF leadership completed its review of administrative duties, ancillaiy training, and
computer-based training. After the review, AF leadership cut, consolidated, or reassigned 29 additional
administrative duties, and eliminated or reduced 31 ancillary training/CBT courses
--- Status: Implemented by SECAF on 19 Aug 16
Assignments: Increase assignment process transparency and mitigate l lF separations
Status: Officers ability to decline IDE/SDE without prejudice has been implemented
Status: Increased flexibility for time on station rules is under initial implementation by AFPC
Status: Assignment teams continue to incentivi;le hard-to-fill billets using follow-on assignments
Status: 1 lFs only eligible for 365s that require an 11 F
Status: Career Intermission Program (CIP) in 3rd year of execution. Pilots remain eligible with 2x Fighter
members approved for FY 17
Status: MAJCOMs now have ability to prioritize some RSAP fills
Status: Incentivize hard-to-fill billets with monetaiy compensation; awaiting SecAF approval for FMS
ETSS assignments; other assignments being analyzed with NLT Winter 17 goal date
Status: Coordin.ating manpower requirements for 179/365-day assignments with the ARC
Status: Assessment of new assignment systems for officers to increase gaining hiring authority and
member input/control, My Vector currently in beta test with implementation pending test results
ADMIN Contractor Support: Five contractors are being added to each fighter squadron in order to aid in
additional duties and enable fighter pilots to focus on primaiy duties
Status: Phase I implemented (ACC)
--- Status: Phase II in development (PACAF, USAFE, AETC & ARC) with estimated implementation
pending contract execution processes
Increase Communication: AF leadership is workingto increase communication with the field about steps
being taken to mitigate fighter pilot shmtfall and improve retention
Status: CAF Fighter Career Field Facebook group launched on 30 Dec 16:
https://www .facebook.com/ groups/3 66009697096611 /
Status: CAF engagement via four FER webinars scheduled for 17-20 Jan 17
Status: Senior leadership engagement and messaging during TDY s
Bonus I Flight Pay: Congress is intends to provide first significant increases in almost 20 years
--- Status: In development. Increases (up to $35K ARP, up to $1K ACIP) in FYI 7 NDAA
--- Status: Gathering metrics and Congressional support to increase Bonus further in FY18
Aviation Awards: Headquaiters Air Force level Fighter Awards program for primary flight duties
--- Status: Implemented with MAJCOM/A3s on 26 Sep 16, RAF Award suspense 1 Apr 17

Fighter UPT Cross-Country: Fighter aircraft cross-country program will fly to pilot training bases when
time and conditions permit to advertise fighter community to student pilots
--- Status: Fighter Enterprise Tiger Team (FETT) sent request to Total Force pa1tners
Rebuild Squadrons: CSAF Top-3 priority- In development with an implementation goal pending results of
the CSAF-directed squadron redesign
--- Status: Tiger Team analysis culminates at Fall 17 CORONA. Actions to continue through FYI 7
- REDUCE REQUIREMENTS: Review the demand for fighter pilots in non-flying billets, rated staff, and
developmental opportunities to ensure utilization in the highest priority positions
-- Deployments: Review/validate all 179/365-day deployments and recommend AFCENT change ~ 10 billets
from 365-to-179 deployments, and change 11 F to other rated AFSCs
Status: Review process implemented, execution pending AFCENT coordination/decision.
--- Status: Working to coordinate man-days to enable more Guard and Reserve volunteers for these
deployments. If implemented, impact may not be felt for 1-3 years
-- Developmental Education (DE): Review proposals to reduce in-residence DE requirements; proposed CAF
"fellowship" incorporating in-residence IDE w/ a staff tour
--- Status: In development with 15 volunteer beta-program applicants for CYI 7
- INCREASE PRODUCTION & ABSORPTION: Increase llF production by 15% (to 335 total force 11Fs)
per year and maximize absorption (i.e. seasoning) opportunities for new llFs
-- New FTUs: Interim basing solution to stand-up two new F-16 Formal Training Units (FTUs) at Holloman
AFB, NM, to meet increased annual production requirements
--- Status: Implemented, will sta1t operations in late summer 2017
LIMEX to AGRS: Send limited experience 1 lFs to previously restricted units (like aggressor squadrons) to
increase absorption
--- Status: Implemented, will-start arriving in summer VML
VLP AD/VRAD: Voluntary Limited Period Return to Active Duty (VLP AD) & Volunta1y Return to Active
Duty (VRAD) for Retired Officers give reserve/retired 1 IFs option to return to active duty
--- Status: VLPAD is implemented
--- Status: VRAD is in development with an estimated implementation of Summer 17
-- More AGR IPs at FTUs: Fund 66 additional AGR Instructoi· Pilot positions at FTUs
--- Status: In the FYI 8 budget, awaiting approval for early·execution
TX to new Major Weapon System: Analyze increasing production and absorption by retraining 1 lFs into
MDSs with more absorption capacity
.;__ Status: In development with fmther FYI 7 analysis
--- UTE Primary Fleet Metric: Increase production/absorption by reinstating minimum UTE
--- Status: In development with fmther FYI 7 analysis
Increase UTE: Analyze increasing production and absorption through targeted aircraft utilization (UTE) rate
increases by returning maintenance personnel manning back near l 00% from xx%
--- Status: AF will overcome 3.4K maintainer sho1tfall over the next 3 years to get back to 100%
ADAIR: POM18 input for contract adversa1y aircraft (ADAIR) for FTUs and operational Sqs
--- Status: Estimated implementation begins FY18 with full implementation in FY19
--- 2N° Shift MX: Analyze increasing absorption with added second shift maintenance to seven NGB squadrons
by changing TR maintenance positions to full-time billets
--- Status: In development with an estimated FY19 implementation
-- lnc1·ease Active Associations: Increase absorption by increasing active association I IF cockpits
--- Status: In development with an estimated FY19 implementation