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Airmen immerse in the air combat mission

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Diana M. Cossaboom
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  The 20th Operations Group created a new initiative to educate Airmen on the 20th Fighter Wing pilot mission through the Operations Immersion Program.

Airmen across the base directly support the combat ready airpower mission; however they seldom receive a chance to experience that mission first hand.

"(The Operations Immersion Program) affords people a better understanding of our own mission in the Ops Group, which hopefully will boost everyone's pride in how each individual plays a role in making the mission happen," said Lt. Col. Michael Horlbeck, 55th Fighter Squadron commander.

The 20th FW Airmen were shown the combat ready pilot mission and what it takes to become a pilot in the world's greatest Air Force.

"We, as fighter pilots, want support agencies to walk away with an understanding of what it takes to deliver combat air power," said Capt. James Byrd, 55th FS D-Flight commander, F-16 instructor pilot.

Each month, one of the fighter squadrons will host approximately 10 Airmen from supporting agencies across base.

The program began with the 55th FS reaching out to commanders and superintendents on base to provide familiarity with the air power mission. After that immersion tour, leadership decided that there was great value in expanding the exposure to all personnel on base, said Horlbeck.

Some things the Airmen learned is the requirements a fully qualified F-16 pilots needs to accomplish for training, descriptions of the various missions the pilots train for, what a typical training sortie is like, and some descriptions of the systems and tactics.

The Airmen sat through the different briefs pilots undertake for their mission, as well as received a tour of the weapons load barn where 55th FS personnel described the different munitions they use as well as different capabilities of the F-16. The Airmen were then able to attempt to fly in a flight simulator to get a more authentic feel for the combat aircraft.

"Most people on the base do not have a direct connection with generating or executing combat-ready air power," said Horlbeck. "I feel that providing the insight to an operational fighter squadron, its makeup, organization structure, qualifications, training requirements, typical duty day, mission planning, all allows a better appreciation for what it is these F-16 sorties are doing and why it is important."

The 55th FS initiated the program, which has been embraced across the group as they seek to build fellow Airmen up, said Horlbeck.

The 20th OG plans to continue the program indefinitely with a tour each month to give the opportunity to experience life as a pilot to as many Airmen as possible.

"Every single Airman and civilian at Shaw is important," said Horlbeck. "Without a particular job function, at some point air power production would be lost, ground to a halt, or result in catastrophic accidents."