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Air Force Pilot Shortage

Sad they're already behind the power curve.

Typical USAF short sighted vision. I have two buddies who were just recently let go because they didn't have their masters. They were passed over for major and given their walking papers. It can be a cut throat environment so I get that but you can't tell me they didn't see this coming.

USAF "Pilot shortage"

Just came across this article and wanted to see what those of you in the know have to say. Frankly, I don't believe a single thing it says due to the budget cuts that I am sure will become a reality in the upcoming years. Aviation being as expensive as it is and combining that with our short sighted politicians, pilots and A/C will probably be the first thing to get the axe on any future budget proposal. Anyways, I'm curious what you all have to say.

Air Force aims to land more top guns amid pilot shortage - latimes.com

I'd like to see what the fighter pilots who have been grounded for last two months have to say about this. We don't have enough money to fly our current guys, how are we short?

Quote:

Originally Posted by hawgdriver (Post 1449450)

I'd like to see what the fighter pilots who have been grounded for last two months have to say about this. We don't have enough money to fly our current guys, how are we short?

Well, unfortunately many of the shortfalls are not for cockpits, but rather staff positions that "need" to be filled by fighter pilots.

Quote:

Originally Posted by CFItillIdie (Post 1449436)

It can be a cut throat environment so I get that but you can't tell me they didn't see this coming.

I think you give "them" too much credit! ;)

Quote:

Originally Posted by crewdawg (Post 1449461)

Well, unfortunately many of the shortfalls are not for cockpits, but rather staff positions that "need" to be filled by fighter pilots.

Crew, I agree with you on this. Short all these fighter guys? No way...most are sitting in RPA or doing ALO type gigs somewhere with the Army...the rest are doing staff. Now, I am a heavy guy since the beginning and being the red-headed step child of ACC....I kinda have a bias, but there are plenty of heavy guys who could fill staff jobs....plenty of 13Bs who would kill to work with the Army......and everyone who can't be pilot qualified wants to fly an RPA. Why can't we just move around a few and free up some fighter guys? Short sighted is right.....

Quote:

Originally Posted by ExE3toUAL (Post 1449478)

The articles states that there were 158 total fighter guys assigned at some point to the RPV comunities.

Tatical expertise from the strike/fighter communities is important in my view. Being a former Air Officer and FAC myself I enjoyed my time with the 'Grunts' though I know that other tried very hard to avoid those tours. Most were 11 months and were one of the fastest ways to get back into the cockpit after your first operational tour.

In spite of all of that - picking the right people for the right job does seem to escape the capabilities of the personnel office sometimes; but I'm sure glad I never had to do that job. Talk about thankless! :eek:

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMCFLYR (Post 1449483)

The articles states that there were 158 total fighter guys assigned at some point to the RPV comunities.

Tatical expertise from the strike/fighter communities is important in my view. Being a former Air Officer and FAC myself I enjoyed my time with the 'Grunts' though I know that other tried very hard to avoid those tours. Most were 11 months and were one of the fastest ways to get back into the cockpit after your first operational tour.

In spoite of all of that - picking the right people for the right job does seem to escape the capabilities of the personnel office sometimes; but I'm sure glad I never had to do that job. Talk about thankless! :eek:

USMC,

I agree with you...and trust me, I respect the heck out of my fighter brothers....might be a tad bit jealous too.....but really, the USAF has fighter guys all over the place....if we need to consolidate a little....let's do it. Free up the jobs, let the heavy drivers have a shot at doing some stuff and get the job done. I really do feel for fighter guys who have to spend month on month in the desert doing a tours....but us ISR guys do the same thing, just not quite as glamorous and we don't get the chicks. But my 13Bravo buddies who think they are fighter guys sure try hard! ;)