Instructor Pilot Upgrade / Japan Cross-Country
The day before leaving on the cross-country to Japan, my squadron commander told me I had been selected to start the instructor pilot upgrade (IPUG). This was great news since one of my main goals while here in Korea is to finish the instructor pilot upgrade before moving on to another assignment. I'm looking forward to teaching younger pilots how to use the F-16 to its full potential...something I'm still getting better at myself. I'm actually starting the upgrade a little sooner than expected since some are here almost a year before starting. Timing plays a big part as it depends on how many instructors the squadron has and how many will be moving on in the near future. So, in a few months I'll be a new instructor pilot in the F-16!
The cross-country through Japan didn't exactly go as planned. Our route of flight was to Misawa Air Base on Friday and then to Kadena Air Base on Saturday stopping in Iwakuni Navy Base on the way. Saturday morning one of the jets had a maintenance problem which we were initially told would be fixed by the next day...well, that turned into the whole weekend. Our leadership here at Kusan wanted us to stay together as a 4-ship, so we enjoyed good sushi and Indian food (yes, there was a great Indian food restaurant right outside the base gate!) over the weekend as well as some good March madness games on TV. I had some time to hit the gym as well before flying back to Kunsan on Monday. Hopefully I'll get a chance in the future for another cross-country to Kadena since I have a cousin stationed there now and also because it's warmer and nicer than Kunsan.
Well, that should bring me up to date on all the latest from Korea...I've submitted paperwork to stay here through the summer of 2010, and I think it's been approved. So, only 15 more months and I'll be on to a different assignment. Most are probably wondering why I did that, but the short of it is US Air Force F-16s are slowly being retired to make way for the F-35 replacement. There are also other planes many pilots are being assigned to these days (UASs, RC-12s, etc) to help in the Iraq / Afghanistan wars. I want to keep flying the F-16 and this should help when I'm considered for my next assignment. Lana and I would like an assignment where we can settle for awhile and start our family together. We realize it's all in God's hands where the Air Force takes us, so I'll do the best I can with the abilities He's given!
The cross-country through Japan didn't exactly go as planned. Our route of flight was to Misawa Air Base on Friday and then to Kadena Air Base on Saturday stopping in Iwakuni Navy Base on the way. Saturday morning one of the jets had a maintenance problem which we were initially told would be fixed by the next day...well, that turned into the whole weekend. Our leadership here at Kusan wanted us to stay together as a 4-ship, so we enjoyed good sushi and Indian food (yes, there was a great Indian food restaurant right outside the base gate!) over the weekend as well as some good March madness games on TV. I had some time to hit the gym as well before flying back to Kunsan on Monday. Hopefully I'll get a chance in the future for another cross-country to Kadena since I have a cousin stationed there now and also because it's warmer and nicer than Kunsan.
Well, that should bring me up to date on all the latest from Korea...I've submitted paperwork to stay here through the summer of 2010, and I think it's been approved. So, only 15 more months and I'll be on to a different assignment. Most are probably wondering why I did that, but the short of it is US Air Force F-16s are slowly being retired to make way for the F-35 replacement. There are also other planes many pilots are being assigned to these days (UASs, RC-12s, etc) to help in the Iraq / Afghanistan wars. I want to keep flying the F-16 and this should help when I'm considered for my next assignment. Lana and I would like an assignment where we can settle for awhile and start our family together. We realize it's all in God's hands where the Air Force takes us, so I'll do the best I can with the abilities He's given!
1 comment:
Sad to see you are staying longer, but you know what is best for your career and family. I know you wanted to be an instructor, so that is great news! I hope you get the chance to see Chris. Do you know how they are doing?
Miss you.
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