F-16 ANG Unit

[AV8R N8]

Anybody on here a pilot or part of the 144th FW in Fresno, CA?

I am trying to get a slot with them, and I have a few questions.

Thanks

-Nate

 

[Ill Mitch]

Anybody on here a pilot or part of the 144th FW in Fresno, CA?

I am trying to get a slot with them, and I have a few questions.

Thanks

-Nate

How's it coming along? I know when I tried to get on with them back in the mid-90's, they wanted you to be enlisted within the unit. Don't know about today. I have a bro (former AD Eagle guy) trying to get on with them. Fresno seems to be a tough nut sometimes.

 

[AV8R N8]

From what I hear, just recently they lifted the prior enlisted within the unit deal. Havent talked to them for a while, but going to try and get out there this coming weekend to talk to them again about the next Board.

 

[psysicx]

Thats what I heard also. They were having bad luck at UPT with priors only. The only problem with that unit is Fresno. To bad Tucson won't lift there prior service requirement.

 

[Steve]

Thats what I heard also. They were having bad luck at UPT with priors only. The only problem with that unit is Fresno. To bad Tucson won't lift there prior service requirement.

How is the QOL? What is first year pay?

 

[peter185]

QOL is high despite going to UPT in Del Rio, working 12 hour days 5 days a week is awesome.

Pay is below NBAA average for the equipment flown.

 

[Ill Mitch]

Thats what I heard also. They were having bad luck at UPT with priors only. The only problem with that unit is Fresno. To bad Tucson won't lift there prior service requirement.

Fresno ain't so bad. There are definitely worse places to go to fly a Viper in the Guard (like Fort Smith).

 

[Ill Mitch]

From what I hear, just recently they lifted the prior enlisted within the unit deal. Havent talked to them for a while, but going to try and get out there this coming weekend to talk to them again about the next Board.

I think the next board is in Jan. Good luck!

 

[psysicx]

Arkansas nuff said.

 

[Ill Mitch]

Arkansas nuff said.

LOL...I have a friend who flies Vipers for that unit. But she grew up right next door in OK, so she is ok with the area. Wonder what she is going to do now that they have been BRAC'ed.

 

[stonewall]

FSM ain't so bad. Guess it depends how bad you want to fly fighters. Fresno also has an ADF commitment, and that requires you to live within a certain geographic area.

I called those guys when I was getting off AD about a job, and they were the only unit of about 10 that I contacted that I never heard back from at all. Not very cool. That said, a great friend of mine just turned down an AGR job with them. He's a Weapons School IP, and I think he's an idiot for not taking it. Later

 

[psysicx]

Magnum what unit are you with. And does the FTU at Luke have a reserve squadron like the F-15?

 

[Ill Mitch]

FSM ain't so bad. Guess it depends how bad you want to fly fighters. Fresno also has an ADF commitment, and that requires you to live within a certain geographic area.

I called those guys when I was getting off AD about a job, and they were the only unit of about 10 that I contacted that I never heard back from at all. Not very cool. That said, a great friend of mine just turned down an AGR job with them. He's a Weapons School IP, and I think he's an idiot for not taking it. Later

I'd go to FSM to fly fighters.

Fresno was kinda like that when I was trying to get on. My buddy who is talking to them now basically showed up on a drill weekend for the face time and kept the ball rolling that way. He has another shot in Jan and I am keeping my fingers crossed for him. He just got out of -135 school, but his unit was BRAC'ed so he is on the street again. He does have a fighter background, so hopefully that will mean something.

 

[NookyBooky]

and that requires you to live within a certain geographic area.

50 miles.

 

[stonewall]

Magnum what unit are you with. And does the FTU at Luke have a reserve squadron like the F-15?

Yes, Luke has two Reserve squadrons. One has a combat commitment (302nd) and helps out with the FTU. They are on the BRAC, but do have part time jobs open. The other is the 301st, and they farm their dude out to the various FTU squadrons. They also have some part time slots open.

Both squadrons are great units (sts), and have alot of really high quality bros. Plus, PHX is a great place to live.

 

[Frisko]

How is the QOL? What is first year pay?

You were joking right? I'd say flying Vipers in California speaks for itself in the QOL category.

 

[psysicx]

What do you mean they farm out? Phoenix isn't bad except for three months. Are the people in the 302nd just going to the 301st or Tucson?

 

[peter185]

FSM is getting A-10's so your friend should be okay.

 

[talondriver]

What do you mean they farm out? Phoenix isn't bad except for three months. Are the people in the 302nd just going to the 301st or Tucson?

The farming out is similar to the SUPT reserve squadrons who's pilots are blended in with the active duty IPs. At CBM, each active duty flight has a group of reservists (TRs and usually one AGR) assigned to it for flying purposes only.

I don't think the 302d is an associate squadron. They own their jets.

 

[psysicx]

Does anybody know if the Luke units hire off the street like the other FTU squadrons?

 

[hindsight2020]

you meant "unlike the other FTU squadrons". Get your random questions bank updated....

 

[psysicx]

No all of the other FTU squadrons hire people off the street. Get you comment right.

 

[hindsight2020]

Alright, educate me then. Name one Guard/Reserve FTU that has hired an off-the-street guy in the past two FYs....

 

[psysicx]

The unit out of San Antonio and Tucson hire people off the street. Both of them are FTU's. You do your 18 month seasoning at another unit before becoming an F-16 IP.

 

[stonewall]

You'll need more than 18 mos to become an F-16 IP, even an FTU one. Well, a good IP, anyway.

 

[AlbieF15]

...Tyndall has NEVER hired a guy off the street to become an IP...

Most guys if they work and apply themselves can make IP, but the fact is there are some guys who just never will. Additionally, there are guys who COULD but due to the high experience in their unit there isn't an overwhelming need to upgrade anyone in a timely manner. I'm NOT saying Kelly/Springfiled haven't hired off the street for IP jobs, but I suspect their is more to the story--perhaps they were trading slots with an ops unit to get someone from another unit into the FTU, or perhaps this "off the street" guy had already flown F-16s but needed a TX course (requal) verses a B course (initial training).

...been wrong before...will be again...

 

[psysicx]

Isn't 18 months all the fighter guys get for seasoning mayde it 2 years. But I know that Kelly has a board every year to hire people. Tucson only hires within and then they go back after seasoning. I'm not saying its the smartest thing.

 

[stonewall]

Yes, they get seasoning. But 18 mos of "seasoning" isn't enough time to make an IP outta ya.

 

[CrewDawg]

I think the Springfield, OH unit hired a guy off the street a few years back. He came to our unit and flew for a few years and just recently went back to be an IP.

 

[hindsight2020]

AlbieF15, thanks for the clarification, that was exactly my point to the random question generator; the likelihood of being hired by an FTU nowadays is null, so I stand corrected...