Another Drop Night

[Stealth_81]

I thought I would give an update on Son #1 progress with flying. The parental waiting game for information certainly doesn't stop after UPT graduation.

Last Friday Son's F-16 Class at Luke AFB was given their drop sheet to choose from for their first duty assignment. They had the following openings available:

2 Slots for Osan, Korea
2 Slots for Kunsan, Korea
1 Slot for Misawa, Japan
1 Slot for Spangdahlem, Germany
1 Slot for Aviano, Italy
2 Slots for Shaw AFB, SC
1 Slot for Hill AFB, Utah
1 Slot for Homestead AFB, Florida

Today they turned their sheet in and Son was assigned to Homestead AFB, which was his first choice. At least now we know where he will be for the next three years! It will be the longest that he has been at one place since his 4 years at USAFA.

Stealth_81

 

[Pima]

Happy news!

I will admit if Bullet was given the options for those drops, I would have BOPPED him on the cranium for not placing Aviano as no.1.

AHHH Venice!

However, who beaaacches about any assignment when they are flying a 16?

 

[Fyterpilot22]

Isn't homestead a reserve base? Isn't he active duty?

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[flieger83]

Yep!

It's called a "Reserve Associate" assignment. Many bases now in the AFRC have an active duty squadron assigned...they fly together, train together, but are separate.

It's a GREAT opportunity for active duty folks...think about it...this young F-16 fledgling will get to fly/train/learn from F-16 pilots that have spent their entire career in the jet, not at a headquarters, "playing the game" etc...they're simply pilots.

OUTSTANDING opportunity!!

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

P.S. When I was at March ARB...we had an active duty associate squadron stand up...their pilots were straight from UPT up to the grade of Major...none had more than about 1500 hours maximum.

In the AFRC squadron we had guys/gals with anywhere from 400 hours (newbies) to over 10,000 hours...

Think they learned a bit??

Steve
USAFA ALO
USAFA '83

 

[Fyterpilot22]

Wow, that's awesome news and I'm somewhat surprised that I've never heard of it. Congrats Stealth and as always, thanks for the heap of information Flieger!

 

[Stealth_81]

Thanks for explaining the details, Flieger.

The biggest draw of the assignment is the comparatively high amount of flying hours that he will get. Most of the regular first assignment bases are very heavy with new pilots straight from the B-course. There is a limited amount of hours given to the squadron and they must divide them up to try and keep everyone current. At the Reserve association units, there are pods of 4-10 active duty pilots who get to fly the Reserve squadron's aircraft. There is just a lot more opportunity to fly. He will most likely get a follow-on assignment to Korea for a year, but he should then have enough hours to have his upgrades done.

The program is still fairly new, so not everyone knows about it. It caused a lot of excitement in Son's class when there was an available slot in his drop. South Miami isn't the worst assignment for a young man to have. Nor is it the worst place to have the parents come and visit.

Stealth_81

 

[NorwichDad]

Thanks for explaining the details, Flieger.

The biggest draw of the assignment is the comparatively high amount of flying hours that he will get. Most of the regular first assignment bases are very heavy with new pilots straight from the B-course. There is a limited amount of hours given to the squadron and they must divide them up to try and keep everyone current. At the Reserve association units, there are pods of 4-10 active duty pilots who get to fly the Reserve squadron's aircraft. There is just a lot more opportunity to fly. He will most likely get a follow-on assignment to Korea for a year, but he should then have enough hours to have his upgrades done.

The program is still fairly new, so not everyone knows about it. It caused a lot of excitement in Son's class when there was an available slot in his drop. South Miami isn't the worst assignment for a young man to have. Nor is it the worst place to have the parents come and visit.

Stealth_81

Awesome news Stealth, Congrats. It is a great place to visit!

 

[aggie83]

That slot at Aviano is my nephew's slot opening up. After 4 glorious first assignment years in Aviano, he and his wife are heading to Osan, South Korea after finishing up SOS school this month.

Big congrats to your son for all his hard work to get his first choice!