International program stays on course with ENJJPT 2008 Published April 3, 2007 By John Ingle 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Although nothing surprisingly new came out of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program Steering Committee's spring meeting, one thing will continue to come from the program - combat-ready fighter pilots. The world's only flying training program ran by multiple nations completed their weeklong discussion and looks to continue along the path of ENJJPT 2008, a plan that includes a change in syllabus, airframes and entry and exit points for participating countries. "It's important that we strive to make ENJJPT the gold standard without being gold plated," said Col. Jeffrey Kendall, 80th Flying Training Wing commander. "It must be affordable and the best value for our international flying training partners." The program will receive its first two T-6A Texan II aircraft - the airframe scheduled to replace the T-37 Tweet as the entry-level jet trainer - in January for maintenance training. Five more aircraft for pilot training will arrive in March, followed by an average of five to six more each month. The new aircraft provides a more cost effective training option for flying training partners at one-quarter to one-third the cost per flying hour of the T-37, Colonel Kendall said. It also allows for some training aspects in the advanced trainer, the T-38C Talon, to move to the first phase. "We're excited to get the T-6 on the ground," the colonel said, "and start training on the T-6 simulators." Air Commodore Peter Berlijn, the chairman of the committee and a member of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, said ENJJPT 2008 isn't just about an upgrade in syllabus and aircraft, but also brings much needed flexibility for participating countries. The program will be able to meet specific training requirements for NATO countries instead of an all or none concept. "It enables us to make a better product that is more in line with what respective air forces need," he said. Air Commodore Berlijn said several new NATO partners are considering participation in ENJJPT, but Slovakia is the only partner who is ready to begin the process. The air commodore, Colonel Kendall and a few others made a trip to Slovakia in 2006 to give a presentation to the Slovakian Armed Forces Combat Air Force. Colonel Kendall said the desire of the committee is to meet the needs of each air force. He said he wants to ensure each graduating pilot from the program has the skill sets needed at the front door of each follow-on training unit, with primary focus now on fourth and fifth generation fighters. By knowing those expectations, the colonel said the training program can adapt to provide those skill sets to pilots before they leave Sheppard. The colonel said.that's particularly important for those pilots who could eventually pilot the F-22 Raptor, F-35 Joint Strike Fighter or the Euro-Fighter. Infrastructure is also a concern for the program. Colonel Kendall said providing 21st century buildings for a 21st century international training operation is part of the equation. The current plan involves creating a state-of-the-art "ENJJPT campus" that includes new facilities for the wing's headquarters, operations, groups and squadrons. On a lighter side of the committee's meetings, they were treated to a dinner Tuesday evening at the Kemp Center for the Arts in downtown Wichita Falls. Air Commodore Berlijn said the dinner was a good opportunity for committee members to get a taste of the outstanding support ENJJPT receives from the surrounding communities. "It's not just fun to experience it," the air commodore said. "Much more than that; it's necessary for a program like this." The steering committee meets twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall. Sheppard traditionally hosts the spring meeting.