A review of the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training Program run at Sheppard AFB, Tex., has led the ENJJPT Steering Committee to call for a change in the program’s syllabus, airframes, and entry and exit points for student pilots. Since the program’s inception in 1980, it has trained more than 5,500 pilots. In January 2008, ENJJPT will receive its first two T-6A Texan II trainers to begin replacing the current T-37 Tweet trainers. More aircraft will arrive in March, and on average five or six a month will arrive after those first airframes. Royal Netherlands Air Force Air Commodore Peter Berlijn, committee chairman, said ENJJPT 2008 brings flexibility for the participating countries. The committee’s plan also involves creating a state-of-the-art ENJJPT campus.
As the Air Force readied for its June 21-22 strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, the service was also putting its Agile Combat Employment strategy into action, dispersing combat aircraft and Airmen from Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in preparation for a possible Iranian retaliatory attack. Some defense experts say…
