Page 56 - Williams Foundation Integrated Force Design Seminar

Designing the Integrated Force: How to Define and Meet the Challenge?

“Now with a combination of initiatives we graduated 43 fast jet pilots out of 48 for around a 90% pass
rate. Again, this is without loss in the quality level, but by having a more realistic and effective training
program.”

The RAAF has adopted a new approach, addressing physical, mental and cultural changes as the key means
to get these results.

“Innovative training is about taking more of a coaching approach to the task. It is also about giving our
trainees the mental and emotional tools to cope with the stress and the challenges to a better job of self-
improvement as well.”

He argued that the sports business has provided a number of tools, which the RAAF has adopted for fast jet
pilot training, including a physical endurance training approach to handling G tolerance.
“It’s a change in mindset of our instructors as well. Some of our instructors now are involved far more in
a coaching role, as opposed to just straight instruction.

“They are looking at helping pilots go though the process with far less of a ‘testing mindset’ as their primary
focus of attention. If you take the testing mindset out, people learn at different rates and you can
accommodate that basic reality of teaching and learning.”

And this approach is paying off in operations.

Roberton noted that they are seeing enhanced pilot performance in operations like OKRA in the Middle East.
“We have pilots who would have functioned as wing men, now taking a lead role because of improvements in
their confidence levels and performance.”
In short, Air Commodore Roberton is keen to foster cultural change throughout the force, whether at the air
warfare centre or in the training process.

Below are the December 2016 press releases about changes in the pilot training program.

Air Combat Group develops improved training methodology and new approaches to re-role
program for fast jet pilots
Air Combat Group has developed and implemented new strategies aimed at improving both the quality and
quantity of successful fighter jet graduates over the past two years. Air Commodore Steve Roberton said
ACG was now looking to transfer those successes onto the long-standing re-role program.
“We are always on the lookout for new fighter pilots and have transferred a number of training support
initiatives to 2FTS graduate and re-role fast jet trainee programs for 2017.

“We want women and men flying the next generation fighter jets such as F/A-18F Super Hornets, F/A-18G
Growler and F-35A Joint Strike Fighter,’’ AIRCDRE Roberton said. ” There is nothing elite about our aircrew.
They are simply focused young Australians who benefit from world-class training and cultural support. It is far
more achievable than many young people think.”

The implementation of a structured and more thorough selection process for re-role candidates will be
introduced to improve selection methodology, manage candidate preparations and enable individual trainee
risk assessment and management,” he said.

Second Line of Defense

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