European Air Force Bases

lacebolla

lacebolla

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Aug 17, 2020
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How competitive would it be to be stationed as a first choice in a European, specifically one of the two British Air Force Bases, as a Pilot?
 
I can’t tell you how competitive it is in the Air Force to be stationed at the British Air Force Bases that you are inquiring. But since you seem to be in a European search mode, and I loved and still love staying at Air Force bases (sea service here), might I suggest adding Aviano Air Base to your potential list of overseas bases? It is in north eastern Italy, has a fighter wing, fantastic amenities, and is a good jumping off point to see other bordering countries. It is probably still true but the Air Force had great box lunches for transiting air crews. For any young person starting out, I’d recommend going abroad. It’s a big part of the adventure. Good luck.
 
Okay...I can speak on this.

To be assigned to a USAFE base as a pilot in the USAF, you're going to have to fly a specific weapons platform. So what are they?

RAF Lakenheath - You must be a fighter assigned pilot, currently in either version of the F-15. As they build up to two squadrons of F-35's, you'll have to be either an Eagle driver or a '35 driver.

RAF Mildenhall - More options here. They host KC-135R's, MC-130J's, CV-22's, and RC-135's. One thing to note: the RC's are TDY airframes from their home unit (55th SRW, Offutt AFB, NE) so you'd go TDY there, you wouldn't be permanently assigned as a pilot. Later in a career, you could be assigned to a non-flying staff position there.

So...with those options, back to your original question: how competitive is it?

Very.

Folks love the overseas assignments, for the most part. The British bases are hugely popular but don't discount the German and Italian bases. I know friends that flew lawn darts that would have spent their entire career at Aviano if they could have. I would have spent my entire career at Lakenheath if I could. It just depends upon what you want/like.

Oh...and we didn't even talk about other USAFE options...C-130J's in Germany...or the smattering of Helo's and VIP jets.

Steve
 
usmagirl118 said:
what about these positions? Are they available to fresh USAFA grads in non-flying jobs?
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If you're speaking of a regular line-officer and all the ancillary career fields...they're open to any member. If there's an opening and you fit the billet, no reason you can't get one.

Steve
 
flieger83 said:
Okay...I can speak on this.

To be assigned to a USAFE base as a pilot in the USAF, you're going to have to fly a specific weapons platform. So what are they?

RAF Lakenheath - You must be a fighter assigned pilot, currently in either version of the F-15. As they build up to two squadrons of F-35's, you'll have to be either an Eagle driver or a '35 driver.

RAF Mildenhall - More options here. They host KC-135R's, MC-130J's, CV-22's, and RC-135's. One thing to note: the RC's are TDY airframes from their home unit (55th SRW, Offutt AFB, NE) so you'd go TDY there, you wouldn't be permanently assigned as a pilot. Later in a career, you could be assigned to a non-flying staff position there.

So...with those options, back to your original question: how competitive is it?

Very.

Folks love the overseas assignments, for the most part. The British bases are hugely popular but don't discount the German and Italian bases. I know friends that flew lawn darts that would have spent their entire career at Aviano if they could have. I would have spent my entire career at Lakenheath if I could. It just depends upon what you want/like.

Oh...and we didn't even talk about other USAFE options...C-130J's in Germany...or the smattering of Helo's and VIP jets.

Steve
Click to expand...
We loved our 4 years at Landstuhl (my AF wife was a nurse-midwife at the Army hospital). Our kids went to local German schools, learned to ski in the Swiss Alps, and every 4-day weekend we were off somewhere.
But don't discount Japan either. We loved our 4 years in Okinawa just as much, more so in some respects.
 
It must be very hard to live off O-1/2 salary in Europe/Japan even if one is provided on-base housing or BHA/BAS.
 
Not necessarily. If you have set yourself up with a well-planned budget, use credit wisely, and take care of needs first, wants as you can budget for them, you’ll be fine.

I spent the first 5 years of my career in the Med in Spain and Italy. My parents had taught me how to budget in a disciplined fashion, along with basic personal financial management. I also had the benefit of getting myself through college on full scholarships and multiple part-time jobs, graduating with no debt. I lived in nice places, invested the max amount in my IRA every year, other mutual funds, savings, an emergency fund, no rolled-over credit card debt (ever). I planned “wants” very carefully. Travel was my first priority, and I took advantage of military discounts, group travel, Armed Forces Recreation Centers, traveling in off-peak seasons. I expanded my cooking skills and didn’t waste money there, staying within my monthly “fun allowance” in my budget. No money was going out of pocket for medical and dental care, unlike a civilian career. My civilian clothes were lightly worn, because I was in uniform most of the time. I learned Spanish and Italian, and shopped like the locals, bargaining for “un sconto” on leather shoes and bags. I went to the Auto Hobby shop on base and learned how to change my own oil, rotate tires, etc. I washed and detailed my own car.

I was young, so taking the overnight ferry to Malta, I sat up in the second class seating area and napped, rather than booking a roommette with a bunk. Ditto the night train to Madrid. Or Barcelona. Or Corfu ferry. European trains are great. Overnight you can go pretty far. There is also free Space A (available) on military hops. I hopped all over the Med, to the Azores, UK, Germany, Greece, Norway, Iceland, even home to the US East Coast.

My apartment in Naples had a view of the Bay and a big terrace. Fifth floor, no elevator, but my legs were in great shape.

Your pay takes a regular jump every two years, bigger jumps at promotion points. BAH goes up at every promotion point. If you build good personal financial habits now, your quality of life can be very good. There is COLA for OCONUS assignments. Cost of Living Allowance. All “allowances” are not taxable, so no bites taken by Uncle Sam.

Google Mint as a phone-based budget tool.
 
txfwindian said:
@Capt MJ I wish I could give multiple high 5s and likes for this one..
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@txfwindian. You and me both! I think that the posts on this thread highlight the beauty of this forum. There is true information that can be used here - in all forms. @capt MJ’s financial insight is invaluable for all those that will soon be commissioned. Coupled with the overseas or CONUS experience of all the other posters, an enriching service experience can certainly be had by our future officers where ever they may go.

Break - break

@Capt MJ, I think you and DW are separated kindred spirits. The "sconto" and ferry ride to Valletta from Siracusa brought back good memories as did @flieger83's account of the UK bases.
 
WT Door said:
@txfwindian. You and me both! I think that the posts on this thread highlight the beauty of this forum. There is true information that can be used here - in all forms. @capt MJ’s financial insight is invaluable for all those that will soon be commissioned. Coupled with the overseas or CONUS experience of all the other posters, an enriching service experience can certainly be had by our future officers where ever they may go.

Break - break

@Capt MJ, I think you and DW are separated kindred spirits. The "sconto" and ferry ride to Valletta from Siracusa brought back good memories as did @flieger83's account of the UK bases.
Click to expand...
I went to Malta both solo and con un amico many times. An enjoyable trip, and so much history to enjoy there. Quite the melting pot of cultures, languages, civilizations.
 
Got a NATO assignment in Geilenkirchen DE right now. Great career and lifetime opportunity if you get the chance to do anything overseas, although COVID has definitely put a stop to the travel we had planned. It’s a pretty good deal to be stationed overseas. Between COLA, VAT exemptions, gas card, etc. you do pretty well.

BSA
 
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