Page 32 - F-35 and Transformation

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

“The formation (to include my wingman and myself) must be executed correctly, the tactic we have been
tasked to reflect must be executed correctly. Not merely flying a profile, ADAIR must replicate a tactic and in
some cases an aircraft type. It is the responsibility of ADAIR to drive specific learning objectives for the
Raptors.”
For the T-38 pilot, communication is typically verbal (from an AWACS or Ground Controller), and situational
awareness is the 3D picture the pilot paints in their own mind. In this respect, there is no help from the aircraft!
With aircraft often converging at well over 1000 mph – things are happening fast, leaving lots to think about
and little time for decisions and actions.
Hebert comments, “I like Leeroy’s response because it illustrates the difference between what’s happening with
the Raptor versus Leeroy. Leeroy is flying in a fast jet, he’s really got a lot of variables; he’s thinking about
communication; he is literally building a picture in his mind so that he knows what he’s doing next, where his
threats are or how he can affect a mission. That is hard. But his effectiveness is small compared to the Raptor.

FIGURE 3 AN F-22 BEING REFUELED. CREDIT PHOTO: TODD MILLER

“A Raptor pilot benefits from tremendous systems that give him a lot of situational awareness, they’re not
having to do as much mentally, however they’re wildly outnumbered.
“There’s a lot more aircraft out there trying to kill those two or four jets and so they have to figure out how
they’re going to complete their mission, preserve their fuel, preserve their weapons and realize it’s not just an
air to air threat, they are also dealing with air to ground threats. The Raptor pilot must stay true to their own
limitations associated with that mission set. Our training is very challenging on both sides.”
It is clear – Raptor pilots are pressed through a crucible.
As has been noted in the USAF Red Flag exercises and USAF Weapons School at Nellis AFB – the objective is
to train pilots in environments designed to be equal too, or more difficult than what is expected in combat.
While virtual training is utilized, Hebert notes that there is nothing that can train like being in the air. The
physical exertion, the actual reality of managing fuel, weapons, the mission set – all escalate dramatically in
the air.

Fights On

The typical training sortie takes one of three forms, involving 2 – 6 or more T-38s vs 2 – 4 F-22s;
Short Range, Low Awareness: This scenario typically involves two to four T-38s vs two F-22s with the focus on
ACM (air combat maneuvering). The Talons approach the Raptors quickly from behind. The Raptors turn
Second Line of Defense

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