Not AH related post here but I found this to be interesting ....and disturbing.
My friend since elementary school is in training with US forces to be a combat pilot.
Of 146 aircraft slated for training - 46 are operational
of 56 aircraft slated for use in advanced training - 4-6 are operational at any given time.
These figures are for his class of aircraft training.
This is due to parts unavailable (parts goto "frontline" units first and the training AC are cannabalized for parts) and or fuel costs are not is the budget. His training has been ongoing for 2 years which normally takes 1 year to complete the basic flight.
He is currently in advanced tactics training with less then 1/2 the hours that were required 8 years ago. Needless to say his parents (father flew Navy jets) are worried and have told him to get the training and get out fast, go into civil aviation but I know he's not going to because he's one of them dumb patriotic types like myself. (something he learned as a Army Ranger I guess)
So what does a trainee do for 2 years instead of 1 year of "real" training? ... paper pushing, they "kill" time till its their turn to get less then 1/2 the hours of flight time that was standard 8 years ago.
50 million$ loss of 2 aircraft and 4 lives sent to fight Yugoslavia was due to lack of training ,seems that would have bought alot of fuel let alone the tragic loss of life. The squadron sent to the "front" never engaged do the the fact that the commander refused to commit his men to combat after these loses were obviously from lack of training.
I won't list his name and or unit do to the fact they don't like officers talking of such things and this is made VERY clear to them these days with the perfume princess generals bucking for #'s to satisfy Bill Clinton so he can pass the "good news" that alls well with America's armed forces.
