310th FS takes on B-course

  • Published
  • By Capt. Gerardo Gonzalez
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
LUKE AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  For years, pilots of the 310th Fighter Squadron have taught future fliers the unique mission of Forward Air Control-Airborne, and specialties such as the use of night vision goggles and targeting pods, but starting Monday they will take on a new mission. 

Instructors with the 310th FS will begin teaching new students the entire spectrum of flying the F-16 Fighting Falcon - commonly referred to as the B-course. 

The B-course will include night flying and training on the aircraft's advanced systems.
"This was the right move to make," said Lt. Col. James McCune, 310th FS commander. 

"It ensures we create the world's greatest fighter pilots, up to date on the latest tactics and weapons." 

B-course students get the basics of learning to fly the F-16 and how to "employ" it day or night and in all conditions, said the commander. It also includes getting versed on the latest weapons. 

"It is a total of 60 sorties, to include a transition phase, air-to-air phase and air-to-ground phase," Colonel McCune said. 

In air-to-air, students learn tactics, techniques and procedures to fight in the air against enemy aircraft. The air-to-ground phase focuses on fighting today's fight using precision guided munitions on a close air support mission or in a dynamic targeting environment. 

To prepare for this major change in operations, the 310th had to adapt their instructional techniques and cross train with other units on base. 

"All instructors are fully trained regardless of squadron," Colonel McCune said. 
"However, it takes a few weeks to ensure proficiency in instructing to a basic level."
The unit has 28 assigned instructors and is supported by two civilians, and nine enlisted Airmen, including four life support specialists. 

Since 1997 all F-16 pilots trained at Luke by the other fighter squadrons had to pass through the 310th FS to get specialty training in the use of NVGs, and the targeting pod, the commander said. 

"We gave them the last bit of training before they went out the door to their combat unit," Colonel McCune said. 

Now the specialty training once taught only by the 310th is becoming part of the syllabus of the other five Luke-based Air Force fighter squadrons. The 308th FS was the first to start using the new syllabus, the commander said. That class started in May and will graduate Jan. 23. 

"The proliferation of NVG and targeting pod use throughout the combat air forces is a testament to the years of work the 310th has done so that Luke and the 56th Fighter Wing can move in this direction," Colonel McCune said. 

The commander said the move to have all units train F-16 pilots in all aspects of flying the jet makes sense. 

"It's more efficient, provides better up-to-date training, and meets combatant commander's requests," said Colonel McCune. "Combatant commanders want guys to show up fully ready for combat. It makes sense to integrate these systems through each phase of training." 

Currently the squadron has one last pilot class going through their night systems course. There will be no separate night systems training after Wednesday. Their first class of pilots to go through the B-course will begin flying in early January and will graduate in the summer. 

The 310th FS traces its roots to January 1942 when they were designated as the 310th Pursuit Squadron in Harding Field, La. The unit underwent different designators and mission changes until it resurfaced as the 310th Tactical Fighter Training Squadron and was assigned to Luke in Dec. 1969. The unit fought primarily in the Pacific during World War II and also fought in the Korean War. 

They started Low Altitude Navigation and Targeting Infrared for Night pod training in 1989 and significantly expanded training in 1997 to include NVGs, targeting pods and FAC-Airborne.