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Unit with more than one airframe


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Hi,

For example, HIANG has three squadrons under its one 154th Wing. Let's say you get picked up by the unit and they give you a C-17 slot and you go to UPT and return to fly the C-17. The question: Is it relatively easy to transfer over to a different squadron after a few years in say the C-17 if you wanted to then fly the F-22 or KC-135 for whatever reason? I understand the process of transferring different ANG units, but am confused on the protocol of changing airframes within the same unit.

Thanks

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If you can get sent through T-38s, it would be exponentially easier. There seems to be a few guard, heavy guys being sent through T-38s, simply because the T-1 spots are all taken. I do know of ONE guy who went through T-1s, flew tankers for a while and was subsequently given a Viper spot by another guard squadron. They sent him to Randolph for a 20ish ride course to learn to fly the 38 (not nearly enough time), then IFF. Unfortunately, things didn't work out for him in the B-course. This was a very rare case, and I would NOT count on this happening.

You're doing it wrong anyway. Fly fighters while you're young, then when it's about time for your first neck/back surgery, switch to heavies.

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If you can get sent through T-38s, it would be exponentially easier. There seems to be a few guard, heavy guys being sent through T-38s, simply because the T-1 spots are all taken. I do know of ONE guy who went through T-1s, flew tankers for a while and was subsequently given a Viper spot by another guard squadron. They sent him to Randolph for a 20ish ride course to learn to fly the 38 (not nearly enough time), then IFF. Unfortunately, things didn't work out for him in the B-course. This was a very rare case, and I would NOT count on this happening.

You're doing it wrong anyway. Fly fighters while you're young, then when it's about time for your first neck/back surgery, switch to heavies.

Thank you, that was what I was wondering. Since obviously there have been cases of pilots changing units from heavy to fighter, I would expect it would be a bit easier to change from heavy to fighter within your same Wing, rather than going changing units completely.

Fighters don't really appeal to me, however, if put in a situation where flying them would eventually be obtainable, than sure, why not.

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"Easy" is a relative term here. Units have to pay for you to go through initial qual in an aircraft. Switching to another MDS means the unit has to pay for another initial qual on you AND potentially pay for the initial qual for the guy who replaces you in your old airframe. You would have the benefit of being a known quantity within the wing, but other than that, there would have to be a good reason for them to want to spend a bunch of extra money on you. Why would a unit take a fully mission qualified pilot from one airframe and essentially start over with you in another airplane? I'm sure it happens, but it's not as easy as putting different patches on your bag.

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Fighters don't really appeal to me, however, if put in a situation where flying them would eventually be obtainable, than sure, why not.

Sure, that's how many of us who fly fighters felt about it in the days before we went to UPT. With that outlook I'd stick to heavies junior.

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Hi,

For example, HIANG has three squadrons under its one 154th Wing. Let's say you get picked up by the unit and they give you a C-17 slot and you go to UPT and return to fly the C-17. The question: Is it relatively easy to transfer over to a different squadron after a few years in say the C-17 if you wanted to then fly the F-22 or KC-135 for whatever reason? I understand the process of transferring different ANG units, but am confused on the protocol of changing airframes within the same unit.

Thanks

We had a -135 student who washed out of IFF (going to F-22's in the HIANG) and just joined the -135 squadron at the HIANG.

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"Easy" is a relative term here. Units have to pay for you to go through initial qual in an aircraft. Switching to another MDS means the unit has to pay for another initial qual on you AND potentially pay for the initial qual for the guy who replaces you in your old airframe. You would have the benefit of being a known quantity within the wing, but other than that, there would have to be a good reason for them to want to spend a bunch of extra money on you. Why would a unit take a fully mission qualified pilot from one airframe and essentially start over with you in another airplane? I'm sure it happens, but it's not as easy as putting different patches on your bag.

Thank you for the response, this clarifies things greatly. I suppose I just wanted to know if it was "easier" to transfer entire units for transport to heavy or if it was "easier" to transfer aircraft within the same unit.

Sure, that's how many of us who fly fighters felt about it in the days before we went to UPT. With that outlook I'd stick to heavies junior.

Gladly!

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Ive been trying to get in touch with someone at the 154th Wing regarding UPT boards with no luck. Called about half a dozen numbers trying to reach someone in officer ascensions only to find answering machines. Does anyone happen to have a POC that they can PM me. Thanks

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Ive been trying to get in touch with someone at the 154th Wing regarding UPT boards with no luck. Called about half a dozen numbers trying to reach someone in officer ascensions only to find answering machines. Does anyone happen to have a POC that they can PM me. Thanks

PM me your email and I'll hook you up.

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