Whidbey has all but 1 VAQ squadrons. They fly F-18s so I guess you could qualify them as fighter pilots even though its electronic warfare.

I think but am not certain that the VAQ pilots (EA-6 and presumably growler) get more hours. I understand there's some loiter involved in the mission.

The E/A-18 is not technically a fighter, although I'm sure the pilots don't mind that it looks and performs a lot like one!

I may be wrong but I think they're still HARM shooters. And ACM has to be part of that mission. Try telling an Iron Hand guy they aren't fighter pilots!

They also can carry two AMRAAMs for self protection.

Sounds like a fighter to me.

Squirrel!!

Yes they can do SEAD attack missions and can self-defend with AMRAAM only (no guns or heaters IIRC)... so don't get in a knife fight.

Not trying to impugn anyone's fighter creds, just saying I think they get more flight time than fighters due to jammer missions during an average JO tour or career. Could be wrong on that, but I've observed their ops in specific circumstances. They also do the in and out escort for strike packages which is obviously F/A flying.

I heard fighter pilots make better airline pilots than Bomber/Transport pilots...

I heard, hiring threads are a great place to debate whether or not a Growler is a fighter. I also heard to get hired at AS you need to figure out the square root of Fighter×Bomber. Good luck fellas!

I heard you’d learn more about AS hiring watching this, than reading this thread.

https://youtu.be/jVfkYZmXHAg


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