The bundling of capabilities produced eight more flying instructors and six new Eurofighter pilots, including two converted directly after their jet pilot training at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas. It also allowed more intensive training of the personnel of JG 74, who commuted by C-160 Transall from Neuburg on Mondays and flew back on Fridays. Lt.Col. Markus Krammel, commander of JG 73, said JG 74 pilots were able to do their tactical-operational training and gain new operational qualifications, while ground crew gained more experience with Eurofighter and trained new personnel, including from JG 73.
In addition, 16 Luftwaffe Eurofighters and 500 personnel spent four weeks between mid-June and mid-July at Decimomannu, the Sardinian base jointly operated by Italy and Germany, flying 250 missions, including the first solo flights by four trainees.
On the downside, Eurofighters were grounded for three weeks in September because of safety problems with their ejection seats, requiring an additional week to re-ride (make refresher flights) and Laage does not have enough twin seaters.
Meanwhile, a JG 73 pilot flew the 100,000th Eurofighter hour worldwide on 13 January.
No comments:
Post a Comment