Changes to keep ENJJPT viable option for partners

  • Published
  • By John Ingle
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  The landscape of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program was the topic of discussion Sept. 8-12 as members of the program's steering committee met in Sevilla, Spain.

Col. David Petersen, commander of the 80th Flying Training Wing and ENJJPT, said potential organizational and physical changes were discussed during the week-long meeting.

The committee approved the restructuring of the organizations, the colonel said, pending Germany's approval of the plan. The second-largest participant in the program requested more time to review the proposition.

"This restructuring would divide the T-38 and T-37/T-6 squadrons into two squadrons each," Colonel Petersen said. "This new structure more closely follows the other pilot training bases and provides greater supervision."

The program currently has three flying training squadrons - the 89th, 90th and 97th - and one fighter training squadron, the 88th. The 89th FTS conducts introductory jet pilot training in the T-37 Tweet and T-6A Texan II, while the 90th provides training in the T-38 Talon. The 97th provides reserve instructor pilots to the program, while the 88th conducts Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals in the T-38.

Under the approved plan, an additional squadron will be created for T-37/T-6 training, as well as one for T-38s, resulting in a total of two T-37/T-6 squadrons and two T-38 squadrons.

Another high-ticket item for the program is the installation of aircraft shelters for T-38s. Shelters are currently being installed for the T-6A Texan II, ENJJPT's newest introductory training aircraft.

"The steering committee agreed there was a requirement to shelter the aircraft, as opposed to a previous 'desire,'" Colonel Petersen said. "But, (the committee) remained at odds over funding methodologies."

He said the Financial Legal Subcommittee will meet in January at their annual budget meeting to discuss the shelters.

Another possible change to the training landscape includes a track that would serve air mobility requirements for the United States and its ENJJPT partners. The program, if adopted, would provide a tanker/transport track.

"The wing provided possible courses of action based on only using assets currently available, that is the T-6 and T-38 aircraft," Colonel Petersen said. "The steering committee tasked the members to look at other possibilities of training aircraft for a tanker/transport track that more closely approximates the airlift world."

The colonel said more information would be available at the next Steering Committee meeting in the spring.

Leadership is also looking at changing the physical makeup of the program with upgrades in the infrastructure.

"We will continue to advocate for an updated ENJJPT Operations Complex and resolution to the shelter issue," Colonel Petersen said. "We are also heavily engaged in modifications to our current operations building to accommodate the new squadrons, should we receive approval to go forward."