ANG FTU's

[Nikes]

I'm currently a student and ERAU (PRC); I was down at TUS on March 1st to tour the 162FW thanks to a professor of mine who flew A-7/F-16 and TUS for 20+ years. That was an awesome experience, if I am not picked up by any ANG units in the next year or two I plan to go active duty or enlist at TUS.

Nikes

 

[Hoss]

Well, congrats on being selected for a ANG Viper slot. I didn't think that we accepted "street people", so to speak, however we have sponsored prior active/Guard enlisted folk (which is the route I took). The only problem is finding a place for them to go for a couple years to build up their Falcon hours to qualify for an IP position. I believe we have a fellow flying with the Razorbacks in Ark. right now, doing that same thing... was prior enlisted AF, and a Tucson native.

And to answer your other question, we only do foreign pilot training down here in Tucson.

At any rate, you will enjoy the airplane (understatement), and make some great lifelong friends along the way.

-Hoss

P.S. you turned down an A-10 Rsv slot??!?

How long have you been at TUS IAP? Do you ever have guard guys coming through for FTU or are you strictly training foreign sales pilots?

 

[SMan]

Nikes,

I'd be happy to give you some ANG advise. Work has been super busy for me, but when I get some time, I'll post something for you.


Hoss,

Sounds like what they told me. I know of a guy on a few message boards that's enlisted down at TUS and just got picked up for UPT. Name is Nathan Garrett. Know him? Anyway, how many hours do you need in order to be an IP. I would consider coming back to AZ someday and maybe transferring to TUS after I put in 10 years or so.

The A-10 slot was a psuedo slot. I interviewed for 1 position there and it was filled by another guy. They asked me to come back in 6 months and take the slot that was to be offered then, but I turned them down. It was a big risk for me, since I had no assurance that I'd get another slot flying anything, anywhere, but ultimately, I didn't feel good about it and turning it down was the right thing for me to do at the time. Would've been a great plane to fly, no doubt, but in hindsight, I'm glad I didn't take it. I'm excited for the 16.

 

[Flaco]

Tucson ANG

Hey SMAN, Hoss, et. all,

I didn't know there were so many people with ties to Tucson Guard here. I just started at ENJJPT (04-05) a month or so ago (I'm Nate, the guy that got picked up by Tucson this last go around). Hoss, I'm not sure if I met you or not while I was down there on "casual" status between AMS and ENJJPT. What squadron are you in? I'm sure I might have run into you (STS) at one point.

Anyways, if there's anyone that's thinking about doing the whole enlisted to UPT thing and has questions, I'll try and help. As SMAN said, I enlisted and got a UPT slot, I think it's a great way to go.

Tucson's a great unit to enlist in, BTW, only selects from within the unit for UPT and has a great bunch of IPs and a ton of jets. Good town too.

See ya,

Flaco (Nate)

 

[Hoss]

Flaco,
I did not meet you, however I have heard of you (there's always talk amongst the pilots about the FNGs we sponsor. Don't worry, it's all been good, hehe). At any rate, I'm in the 148 FS.