19 aircrew members graduate B Course training

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tammie Moore
  • 4th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SEYMOUR JOHNSON AIR FORCE BASE, N.C. --  After spending nearly two years in training, the newest class of F-15E Strike Eagle pilots and weapon systems operators are ready to report to their first permanent duty station.

The 334th Fighter Squadron turned 19 fully-qualified Strike Eagle aircrew members over to the Air Force when the Basic Course 09-DBE graduated June 11.

"You are a special breed of person because you are here to serve our country and you don't take that lightly," said retired Brig. Gen. Larry Huggins, graduation ceremony guest speaker. "You basically signed a blank check saying 'I'll do whatever I've got to do for my country including die.'"

The general is no stranger to the process of becoming a qualified aircrew member. He was an instructor pilot for the F-105 Wild Weasel II. Based on his experiences, he had a few thoughts to share with the newest F-15E pilots and WSOs.

"Know your airplane, know your systems," he said. "Know each other and do everything you can do to be the best there is at doing that tasking. If you don't know your systems you can't employ your airplane effectively in combat."

The pilots began their journey at one of four Undergraduate Pilot Training bases located at Vance Air Force Base, Calif.; Laughlin AFB, Texas; Sheppard AFB, Texas; or Columbus AFB, Miss. The WSOs started their training at the Undergraduate Navigator Training Course at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Fla. All the aircrew members then had to attend an Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals at a UPT base. Finally, after being assigned to fly in the F-15E, each student reported to Seymour Johnson AFB. Once here, the WSOs completed their senior course and all students moved on to the F-15E B-Course.

In the F-15E B-Course, the students achieved many career milestones. During the fourth flight in the course they had their first crew solo, allowing student pilots and WSOs to fly together for the first time. They completed their first aerial refueling mission. In addition, they dropped their first munitions in the surface attack phase of their training.

The course was not all fun and games; graduates had to remain focused on many technical elements to earn their wings.

"The most challenging part of the program for most of us was air-to-ground attack planning," said Capt. Steven Baker, 334th Fighter Squadron B-Course student. "Students would typically have two hours before the flight brief to plan a low-level training route, simulated precision-guided weapons attack from low and medium altitude and come up with contingency plans for all aspects of the mission."

Each year four classes of F-15E pilots and WSOs graduate from Seymour Johnson AFB.

"Overall, everyone in our class found the course extremely challenging, but very rewarding," Captain Baker said. "Our instructors from the Eagles demanded our best on each sortie and we certainly had a steep learning curve."

General Huggins encourages the mission-ready aircrew members not to become "face people" who show up for work at 4 a.m. and remain there until 11 p.m.

"Find time for your family," he said. "There are going to be times in your career when you are going to have to take time away from your family and they come second. That is hard to do, but you have to do that. When there is time for your family use that time smartly."

Congratulations to the following B-Course 09-DBE graduates who will move to their permanent duty stations after graduation or remain here with the 335th FS or 336th FS:
1st Lt. John Anderson, Seymour Johnson AFB
Capt. Steven Baker, Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho
Capt. Jonathan Barber, Mountain Home AFB
Capt Matthew Dvorsky, Seymour Johnson AFB
Capt. Bridgett Fitzsimmons, Seymour Johnson AFB
1st Lt. Michael Fitzsimmons, Seymour Johnson AFB
1st Lt. Gilbert Garcia Jr., Mountain Home AFB
1st Lt. Philip Gunn, Seymour Johnson AFB
1st Lt. Jonathan Hudgins, Seymour Johnson AFB
Capt. Michael Klopfer, Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom
1st Lt. Benjamin Lee, RAF Lakenheath
1st Lt. Kevin Murphy, Seymour Johnson AFB
1st Lt. Luke Outwater, RAF Lakenheath
Capt. George Quint, Seymour Johnson AFB
Capt. Jacob Rieth, RAF Lakenheath
1st Lt. Brian Silva, Mountain Home AFB
1st Lt. Tyler Stark, RAF Lakenheath
Capt. Clinton Warner, RAF Lakenheath
1st Lt. Brent Warren, Mountain Home AFB