Transition to fighter from B-2

[Purduepete]

Does anyone know if its possible to transition to fighters out of the B-2? I guess they are starting to accept people out of the T-1 track to fly the B-2 and they train them in the 38 and all, I was just curious if they'll be able to cross over to a fighter after that. If anyone's got the answer I'd appreciate it.

 

[HueyPilot]

B-2 to another ACC airframe

The short answer to your question is no.

When I first got to my C-21 unit, I checked into the B-2 program just to explore the option. I'm not too interested in flying fighters, but I was interested if you could cross-train into other bomber platforms such as the B-1 or the B-52. The answer to that was no as well.

Despite being fully qualified in the T-38, the ACC leadership doesn't really care about that. To them, you're a "heavy pilot" asset, no matter how many hours you accumulate in the T-38 or the B-2.

It was explained to me that you had a few options once in the B-2 (if you're a T-1 UPT grad). First obviously is stay in the B-2 community. Second is be a T-38 IP with one of the other T-38 programs (such as UPT, or Beale...Holloman is for F-117 guys only). Third is to leave the B-2 and go back to a heavy...the caveat here is you're now an ACC asset, and they'll likely put you in an AWACS or RJ. Fourth, you might be able to work going back to AMC to fly a heavy MWS there. Those options are pretty much listed in order of most likely to least.

I don't really know the rationale as to why ACC won't let a T-38/B-2 qualified pilot transfer into the B-1 or B-52 cockpits, let alone a fighter, simply because he or she went through T-1s in UPT. But that's the way it is. And I believe that once the B-2 becomes a "normal" assignment, that option will close for T-1 trained folks as well.

 

[jstars135]

We just had a guy picked up by the B-2 program. He said the Squadron Commander told him to plan on being in B-2s for life.

 

[Merlin'05]

Is it different if you started out in another bomber?

I was at the 20th Bomb Squadron this past summer and met a B-52 guy who started in BUFFs, went to fly B-2s for a couple of years, then had just come back to the B-52 squadron a couple weeks before.

Is that a different situation there or is it just unusual?

 

[HueyPilot]

More...

I guess my first post was aimed more at heavy pilots who get selected for the B-2 program.

If you wind up flying some other kind of bomber platform (B-1, B-52), and get selected for the B-2, the option is always there to go back to your original MWS. There are limited opportunities to go to another bomber MWS (ie, B-52 to B-2 to B-1). And you can't go to fighters once you become a bomber MWS pilot.

 

[Merlin'05]

Thanks, that clears things up. Good to know.

 

[talondriver]

Re: More...

There are limited opportunities to go to another bomber MWS (ie, B-52 to B-2 to B-1). And you can't go to fighters once you become a bomber MWS pilot.

It all depends (we've never heard THAT before) on manning. ACC could open up another crossflow whenever they want.
I know several former bomber pilots (as well as a couple of C-130 dudes) currently flying fighters.

Incest within the bomber community (switching bombers) is common amongst the bomber senior leadership.

 

[HueyPilot]

Just the facts

The statement that you can't go from bomber MWS to fighters is just reciting current USAF policy. Hopefully in the future they will re-open the various crossflow programs again.

 

[BonePilot]

Re: Just the facts

The statement that you can't go from bomber MWS to fighters is just reciting current USAF policy. Hopefully in the future they will re-open the various crossflow programs again.

That may be active duty policy, but the ANG has allowed a lot of MWS transitions that probably wouldn't have occurred elsewhere. It seems to suit them well ... too bad active duty can't figure that one out.