RAF Pilot Flies F-15
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aesop081
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So ?
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So the picture doesnt make you warm and fuzzy ? You dont see a sense of solidarity ? Exchange program which is common between the US and its allies. 
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RafExchangePilotJoinsUsAfghanOperation.htm
RAF exchange pilot joins US Afghan operation
27 Feb 08
An RAF fast jet pilot has traded his Tornado GR4 aircraft for an F15 after taking up an exchange appointment with the United States Air Force (USAF).
RAF Lossiemouth's Flight Lieutenant Chris Ball is now deployed in southern Afghanistan as the US military target Taliban strongholds in the mountainous region along the Afghan/Pakistan border.
Working alongside pilots from 336 Fighter Squadron F15, Flt Lt Ball is flying night operations out of the former Soviet airbase at Bagram, north of Kabul, helping to police the notorious border with Pakistan.
The former RAF Lossiemouth XV (R) Squadron pilot and his US navigator Mark Crawford were recently called in to provide air support to troops located at Forward Operating Bases in the Hindu Kush, the mountainous border region more than 20,000 feet (6,096 metres) above sea level.
The operation was part of the USAF's ongoing efforts to flush out Taliban insurgents believed to be centred in the inaccessible border region. Flt Lt Ball is part of an established RAF/USAF exchange programme, but it is unusual for UK fliers to join live operations:
"We were supporting ground troops in Paktika and Nuristan," Flt Lt Ball explained. "The rugged terrain is difficult with mountain peaks reaching 22,500 ft (6,858 metres) above sea level. It's tough for the guys on the ground - during the day the temperatures can hit the high forties, but at night they plummet to minus 20.
"We are there to support them. The USAF has two planes in the air over the region twenty-four seven. If anything happens on the ground we are there fast. The F15 is awesome, I love the GR4 but this beast is about 50 per cent bigger and armed to the teeth. It is a truly phenomenal plane."
http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/RafExchangePilotJoinsUsAfghanOperation.htm
RAF exchange pilot joins US Afghan operation
27 Feb 08
An RAF fast jet pilot has traded his Tornado GR4 aircraft for an F15 after taking up an exchange appointment with the United States Air Force (USAF).
RAF Lossiemouth's Flight Lieutenant Chris Ball is now deployed in southern Afghanistan as the US military target Taliban strongholds in the mountainous region along the Afghan/Pakistan border.
Working alongside pilots from 336 Fighter Squadron F15, Flt Lt Ball is flying night operations out of the former Soviet airbase at Bagram, north of Kabul, helping to police the notorious border with Pakistan.
The former RAF Lossiemouth XV (R) Squadron pilot and his US navigator Mark Crawford were recently called in to provide air support to troops located at Forward Operating Bases in the Hindu Kush, the mountainous border region more than 20,000 feet (6,096 metres) above sea level.
The operation was part of the USAF's ongoing efforts to flush out Taliban insurgents believed to be centred in the inaccessible border region. Flt Lt Ball is part of an established RAF/USAF exchange programme, but it is unusual for UK fliers to join live operations:
"We were supporting ground troops in Paktika and Nuristan," Flt Lt Ball explained. "The rugged terrain is difficult with mountain peaks reaching 22,500 ft (6,858 metres) above sea level. It's tough for the guys on the ground - during the day the temperatures can hit the high forties, but at night they plummet to minus 20.
"We are there to support them. The USAF has two planes in the air over the region twenty-four seven. If anything happens on the ground we are there fast. The F15 is awesome, I love the GR4 but this beast is about 50 per cent bigger and armed to the teeth. It is a truly phenomenal plane."
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aesop081
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tomahawk6 said:So the picture doesnt make you warm and fuzzy ? You dont see a sense of solidarity ? Exchange program which is common between the US and its allies.
Sorry, i just dont see the big deal. This sort of things is done between countries throughout NATO. Canada has exchange officers in many nations (US, UK, Australia to name a few). Canadian exchange officers have seen combat in Iraq (both in 91 and 03) with UK and US forces. One Canadian fighter pilot (IIRC) was killed flying a US F-18. This is something that has been done for decades, so i had to ask why this was a big deal.
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great picture, T6.
daftandbarmy
Army.ca Fossil
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Sheesh... everyone's a critic....
I thought the F15s were grounded?
I thought the F15s were grounded?
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aesop081
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daftandbarmy said:
F-15E Strike Eagles are good to go....the grounding affects the air superiority models.
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I think its a bit of a big deal because the pilot is on ops.
correct me if I am wrong,but the USAF has not allowed
exchange crew to participate in operations since the Korean
war.
Regards
correct me if I am wrong,but the USAF has not allowed
exchange crew to participate in operations since the Korean
war.
Regards
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aesop081
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time expired said:
Wrong
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CDN Aviator, Thanks for your informative post.
Regards
Regards
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aesop081
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time expired said:
Sorry i got called away and hit post when i didnt really want to. If you read my previous post in this thread, Canadians have flown in the 1991 Gulf war and OIF while on exchange with USAF.
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benny88 said:I think the real story here is that British pilot's mustache. Looks like the "Knights of the Air" mentality from WWI is still alive and kicking.
I guess you've never seen the mustaches sported by our air force members huh...
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