Exercise

Through the help of Dyess AFB, Texas, and Atlus AFB, Okla., members of Sheppard’s own 88th Fighter Training Squadron were able to make the trip down to Florida to provide air-to-air combat simulation presentations for the Florida Air National Guard. The trip provides training to both the FANG and the instructor pilots from Sheppard AFB. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath)

Exercise

Airmen from Altus Air Force Base, Okla., pitched in to help load and inspect equipment and tools onto a C-130 Hercules supplied by Dyess AFB, Texas, May 11, 2014. Through the help of Dyess and Atlus, members of Sheppard’s own 88th Fighter Training Squadron were able to make the trip down to Florida to provide air-to-air combat simulation presentations for the Florida Air National Guard. The trip provides training to both the FANG and the instructor pilots from Sheppard AFB, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath)

Exercise

Pilots and aircraft maintainers grasp their luggage and climb aboard a C-130 Hercules May 12, 2014, Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas. Through the help of Dyess AFB, Texas and Atlus AFB, Okla., members of Sheppard’s own 88th Fighter Training Squadron were able to make the trip down to Florida to provide air-to-air combat simulation presentations for the Florida Air National Guard. The trip provides training to both the FANG and the instructor pilots from Sheppard AFB, Texas. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath)

Sheppard T-38's take on Florida F-15's

Published May 20, 2014
By Airman 1st Class Robert L. McIlrath
82nd Training Wing Public Affairs

SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Part of becoming a fighter pilot is learning how to fight.

A C-130 Hercules loaded with gear and pilots from the 88th Fighter Training Squadron departed Sheppard in the early hours of May 12, 2014 with five T-38 Talons bound for to Jacksonville, Fla.

Through the help of Dyess AFB, Texas and Atlus AFB, Okla. members of Sheppard's own 88th FTS were able to make the trip down to Florida to provide air-to-air combat simulation presentations for the Florida Air National Guard. The purpose of the trip is to provide training to both the FANG and instructor pilots from Sheppard which would equate to half the cost.

"The T-38 isn't a fifth generation fighter, but we can still provide them with training and simulate some pretty good threats in terms of tactics and the way we fly," said Lt. Col. Tyler Nelson, 88th FTS commander. "It gives them a good training opportunity at a much cheaper cost rather than trying to do it with their own internal F-15's."

The T-38 Talon flying hour cost is not as expensive as the F-15C flying hour cost. "It saves a lot of money to use a T-38 to provide that training over another more costly aircraft," Nelson said. Using T-38's from Sheppard not only saved money, it proved a unique type of training for all units involved.

"Fighter pilots are a small community, support is tough to get," said Lt. Col. Todd Moore, 88th FTS instructor pilot and project officer. "Units want different types of planes to train with so they don't have to fight each other. The T-38 is incredibly hard to see because it's small and fast."

Other benefits of the exercise were exposure for the 88 FTS to current fighter tactics.

"It's good training for us as well." Nelson said. "We're actually going to take some non-fighter pilots here in the wing and expose them to the fighter pilot culture. The overall mission of the 80th FTW is to train pilots with the skills and attitude to succeed in fighter aviation. We really like to go see the fighter units that our students go to so we can see how they're doing." "This gives us a chance to check on our past students and get instructor feedback," Moore said.

Flying five T-38 Talons down to Jacksonville, Fla. isn't a difficult task, but finding a way to take all of the maintenance tools and equipment needed for a 10 day TDY is a different battle. Dyess AFB supplied a C-130 Hercules aircraft to transfer all of the necessary equipment for the trip. While Altus Airmen pitched in and loaded the aircraft.

"Altus has the experts in inspecting and loading cargo, since they area C-17 loading base, that's their bread and butter." Nelson said. "We don't have the inspection expertise here to make sure everything we pack and load on the aircraft are ready for flight."

The puzzle pieces came together with the help of Dyess, Atlus and members of Sheppard to make this trip possible. The training gained will contribute the Air Force's role in air superiority across the globe.