New program shows base members the building of fighter wingmen

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Chase Hedrick
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The 49th Fighter Training Squadron building was not in need of repair and nothing was being built or installed, however, members of the 14th Civil Engineering Squadron found themselves there during the afternoon of Feb. 4.

A new program launched by the 49 FTS commander Lt. Col. Chris Stricklin invites service members and their families from different 14th Flying Training Wing squadrons to directly see the making of, and how they contribute to the making of a fighter pilot.

"It's a great cross view between the mission support and operations group," said 14 CES commander Lt. Col. Michael Harner during the event. "It gives us a great look at what we do that helps them complete their mission."

When a guest squadron arrives on the graduation day of each class, they are first given a mission brief introducing them to the squadron's history of moving from a fighter interceptor squadron to the fighter training squadron they are today as well as how the 49 FTS training system works.

Using several of the videos used in fighter pilot training the instructor pilot giving the mission brief not only explains but shows the audience what fighter pilots in training see when flying combat maneuvering or ground attack training sorties.

After the briefing the guests are split into two groups. Some are taken across the street to the T-38 Talon simulators to give their hand at flying Columbus Air Force Base's fastest airplane said Colonel Stricklin. The other part of the group splits off to see the real T-38s up close before trading to keep either area from being overcrowded.

The touring squadron then returns to 49 FTS heritage room for the graduation. The room, filled with contributions and memorabilia from graduated classes is packed with many of the people who helped contribute to the graduate's success. Colonel Stricklin said he chooses to hold the Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals graduations there rather than in a formal setting because it better mirrors the events in the fighter world.

The idea to create this program stemmed from two events said Colonel Stricklin. Both were instances of outside squadrons taking the extra step to make sure the 49 FTS was in the best shape it could be.

"The communication squadron was over here one day. Our radios had gone out and we can't fly without those radios. It was after hours, it was me, the communication squadron commander and her experts," recounted Colonel Stricklin. "While her guys were working we walked out the door that I walk out to go to work every day. When we walked out, Maj. Smith said she had never been out here before."

"We never realized how many people on this base had not seen what we do here," he said. "Take advantage of this, because I hate to say you probably won't see this close of a family at other bases."

Colonel Stricklin said he plans to continue inviting squadrons to the graduations and eventually make sure that everybody on base gets a chance to see the program.