Page 29 - F-35 and Transformation

The F-35 and The Transformation of the Power Projection Forces

The Making of the 21st Century Fighter Pilot

By Todd Miller

With the F-35A program generating an abundance of positive news, it is easy to overlook that the F-22A
Raptor remains the USAF platform of choice for the Air Superiority role.

In a recent interview 1st Fighter Wing Commander, Colonel Pete Fesler paraphrased comments made by the
Commander of Air Combat Command, General Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle; “The F-35 is the best air to air
(A2A) platform in the world, except for the F-22. The F-22 is the best air to ground (A2G) platform in the
world, except for the F-35.” Fesler continued,

“So we have two aircraft, one designed primarily for A2G, one primarily for A2A, both with complimentary
capabilities to assist each other in either role.

Together they create a team that is optimized to simultaneously go after air and surface threats.”

The F-22 Raptor has a unique combination of stealth, speed, maneuverability, operational altitude and
weapons load that make it the “bar” by which A2A fighters are measured. Seen in the context of the current
and emerging threat environment, the capabilities the Raptor brings to the fight drive a paradigm shift in the
role of the fighter pilot.

Operating the stealthy F-22 in highly contested space with anti access/area denial (A2/AD) systems AND
adversaries with their own advanced stealthy aircraft provides extraordinary challenges.

These current and anticipated air and surface threats drive an aggressive training regime for Raptor pilots.

On a recent visit to Joint Base Langley-Eustis (JBLE) Lt. Colonel Charles “Stab” Hebert, Commander of the 71st
FTS (Fighter Training Squadron) and first assignment Adversary Air (ADAIR) pilot call sign “Leeroy” provided
insights into the selection and training of Raptor pilots.

The 71st FTS flies the Northrop T-38 Talon as ADAIR support for all F-22 Raptors based at JBLE (27th FS,
94th FS & the 192nd FW).

Raptor Pilot Qualities

During college Leeroy entered the Air Force through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC), and
subsequently took his Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT) at Sheppard AFB. As a student graduating from the
UPT, Leeroy was assigned to the 71st FTS “Ironmen” where he has honed his piloting skills flying against the
Raptor.

After what will be two years of flying as a Raptor adversary (with at least 1 Raptor Kill – more on that later),
Leeroy is now uniquely qualified to achieve his goal and become a Raptor pilot. In the short time since
graduation Leeroy has become qualified as an instructor in the T-38 ADAIR program.

As Hebert explained, Leeroy is making a little history – being the first, first assignment pilot to become an
ADAIR instructor. Leeroy applied himself and broke barriers by achieving something extraordinary in just over
18 months at his first assignment. This is precisely the type of high achievement individuals with excellent flying
skills that the Air Force looks to fill Raptor seats.

Hebert speaks insightfully, he was one of those originally tasked to transition the T-38s from training support
for the F-117 to the F-22.

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