The 95FS where I currently fly is the squadron featured in this series. The producer, Jesse Negron, originally had a vision of a documentary along the lines of "Hoop Dreams", but with aspiring fighter pilots as the subject matter.
He has focused on 3 students from this particular class, and is attempting to tell the stories of their successes and struggles. After leaving Tyndall, he did some similar work with the US Navy. I flew several rides, including one with a trailer featured debrief, with one of these students.
I hope the final product does justice to the hard work it takes to get through these training programs. If you've seen the trailer--you know there is some neat footage and good stuff. However...the trailer is 3-5 minutes (depending on version) so we'll just have to see how the long story plays out.
There was a meeting at Pentagon with PA folks early this month. They (some said surprisingly) did not want the bar footage of singing and and partying removed. Some of us (myself included) were afraid they'd over sanitize that part. At least for now--looks like the documentary will try to capture some of the "warrior rituals" that accompany the training program.
Word is show will be on 24 Jan in Survivor's timeslot. Tune in and take a look. If we look cool, I'll tell you which IP I am....if not I'll just deny the whole thing!
PS--One of the original proposed names was "Eagle Rage". That might have also be an appropriate name for some the the combat operations going on worldwide at the moment.
Fly safe,
Albie
