IFF Class 10-BB Graduates Five Published Nov. 17, 2009 By Capt. Jeff Poplin 49th Fighter Training Squadron COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The 49th Fighter Training Squadron hosted an IFF graduation on Nov. 17 in the squadron heritage room. Five members graduated this phase of their training on their way to becoming fighter pilots in the F-16 and F-15E for the Combat Air Forces. The 49th FTS is responsible for Active Duty, Guard, Reserve, and International flying training in the T-38CIFF aircraft. The 49 FTS provides training to fighter pilots and weapon system officers entering Air Force major fighter weapons systems, which include the F-16, F-15C, F-15E, and A-10. The nine-week course begins with tactical formation flights and then introduces pilots and WSOs to basic fighter maneuvers (BFM) and air-to-air employment in offensive, defensive, and high aspect fight scenarios. Students bound for aircraft with an air-to-ground attack capability then move on to surface attack and low-altitude tactical navigation phases learning to employ ordnance against ground targets. The skills learned during IFF directly translate to the fighters these students will soon fly in their follow-on training and one day employ in combat. Congratulations to the following fighter candidates! 1st Lt. Christopher Franks, F-16, Air-to-Ground Top Gun, Air-to-Air Top Gun 2nd Lt. Casey Jones, F-15E 2nd Lt. Hiroki Irino, F-2/F-15J 1st Lt. John Ferris, F-15E WSO 1st Lt. Beth Kaufhold, F-15E WSO