SOF program helps ensure pilot safety

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Daniel Lile
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Very rarely do emergency situations occur in an aircraft at Columbus Air Force Base, but they do happen; as an Air Education and Training Command Wing, Columbus AFB has new pilots who are just entering their career field. To aid inexperienced pilots and keep them as safe as possible. During emergency situations, Columbus AFB has a Supervisor of Flying program.

"The SOF program at Columbus ensures that individuals selected to be Supervisors of Flying are trained in the varying aircraft and procedures to ensure a safe flying environment at Columbus," said Maj. Andrew Desantis, 14th Operations Group SOF Manager. "The SOF acts as a direct link between the Operations Group commander and flying units on base during operations."

Columbus AFB has a unique mission that sometimes requires special instruction to ensure the safety of Airmen. The goal of the SOF program is to produce and maintain a safe training environment.

"There are times where student pilots are flying solo and that is the main reason we have the SOF program here at this base," said Maj. Latimer Neal, Instructor SOF. "For pilots who have only been in a plane a few times and might not know exactly what to do in certain situations, the SOF operator is there to help them get back on the ground safely."

All SOF operators are experienced pilots who know the best course of action in almost all situations, however if there is a instance where a problem requires outside help, SOF operators are in contact with subject matter experts to safely and efficiently solve the problem.

"The SOF operator acts as a point of contact for anybody who needs help or safety in any situation that could occur," said Neal. "If a pilot has a problem they are just one switch away from calling the SOF, and he will get in contact with the people most qualified to help solve the current situation."

There are many variables that go into safety while flying, one of the most common and most dangerous is the ever changing weather conditions. SOF operators have to be up-to- date with the weather shop at all times to prevent dangerous situations before they happen.

"Some of the primary challenges the SOF position deals with are rapidly changing weather conditions," said Desantis. "The SOF works closely with the weather shop to make informed decisions on local flying statuses to ensure safe mission accomplishment."

The SOF program is extremely valuable and is a great way to maintain safety for all the Airmen at Columbus AFB.

"Due to the multiple flying platforms and often times quickly changing weather conditions, the SOF is a vital position to direct the overall operation of the airfield in order to ensure safe operations so that squadrons can complete their primary mission of producing the world's finest pilots," said Desantis.