6 Month Extension Denied By AFPC

About a week ago now, I received an email from the Air Force Personnel Center (AFPC) titled, "CAPT FERGUSON, 6 MONTH EXTENTION DENIED" meaning I'll be moving around January 2010 after being at Kunsan 12 months. I was surprised at this email since both my Operations Group Commander and the base Commander had signed my paperwork approving I stay here another 6 months like I mentioned a couple posts ago. My intent of wanting to extend here at Kunsan from 12 to 18 months was to become an instructor pilot in the F-16 before moving to another assignment. If an F-16 pilot who has had a previous 3 year flying assignment (like I did at Aviano) leaves Kunsan after a year still a flight lead, the assignment choices and opportunities in today's Air Force are very slim or not ones most would look forward to. Some of these include becoming an Air Liaison Officer (ALO) with the Army, flying a Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), an RC-12 or going back to teach brand new pilots in the T-6 or T-38. There is a small chance of flying at Luke AFB to teach the brand new F-16 pilots, but this is rare anymore as a flight lead.

My desire is to keep flying the F-16 and continue to be part of the tactical Air Force. Thankfully God's timing was not my own and I started the IPUG a few weeks ago (I thought the summer would be the earliest) and should finish by the end of June. So, He has allowed me to reach my goal of finishing IPUG before leaving Kunsan while minimizing my time apart from Lana! In the end, it's all worked out for the better in our case. I'll be putting in my "dream sheet" sometime around August/September listing my assignment preferences. Based upon my ranking among the others up for an assignment and what's available at the time, AFPC will then assign me to a new location. Lana and I are discussing where we'd like to go next as our desire is to start a family soon. We really enjoyed Europe and wouldn't mind going back there, but at the same time the USA would be nice too...thankfully we have another 4 months or so to finalize our "dream sheet."

Well, I should get back to studying for my next instructor pilot upgrade flight tomorrow. I made it through the first one after a couple tries and have 2 more this week along with a simulator flight on Friday. Once the upcoming and busy week is over with, I'll be meeting Lana in Seoul and we'll be on our way to the Philippines for a 2 week holiday. We're looking forward to getting away and relaxing on the beach together! Take care and fly safe...