Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard/Loadmaster Follow-On Training

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Expert: - 3/24/2009


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Dear, James
    Firstly, think you for replying to my question on 01-03-09 about choosing an aircraft.  You were right in the fact that my instructors helped me along in the decision making process, and I was able to get the air frame I wanted.  C-130s!!  
    Secondly, I wanted to pass some information along to you to help other inquiring minds.  Most enlisted air crew jobs have follow-on training at Fairchild AFB, WA for survival and/or parachute training. (Approx. 19 days)  Depending on which air frame you have, you will then go on to Pensicola NAS, FL for more parachute/water survival. (Approx. 3 days).  Then loads for C-5s go to Kelly AFB/Lackland AFB for LIQ, loads for C-17s go to Altus AFB, and loads for C-130s go to Little Rock AFB.  
    Thanks again for helping us.  Hope you can use this information!!!      Josh

Answer
Josh -

Thanks for the updated info.  I knew all about survival school, I just forgot to mention it.  When I was in, C-5 and C-141 (now retired) training was at Altus, there was no C-17 training, and C-130 training was at Littlerock.  So, they traded C-141 for C-17 at Altus, C-130 is still at Littlerock, and they moved C-5 training to Kelly.

Thanks for all and good luck on getting through all the training.  You have a long way to go, but you have overcome many of the hurdles by getting as far as you have.

Sincerely,
James Bell

Careers: Military--Army, Navy, Airforce, Marines, Coast Guard

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James Bell

Expertise

I am a retired MSgt (2004) with 24 years experience in the aircrew career field, both as a loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1) and flight engineer (AFSC 1A1x1). I have been to every continent at one time or another, and regularly flew 300 to 500 hours a year. I have been involved in the operations in Grenada, Panama, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq. I can answer most questions you may have about enlisted Air Force life in general, assignments, benefits, and enlisted aircrew operations. NOTE: If you have specific recruiting and/or medical questions about how to get into this career field as a civilian, they have changed since my time, so that is best answered by a recruiter or MEPS. I can answer questions about military personnel wanting to RETRAIN. If you are asking about being an Air Force pilot, please be advised my area of expertise is ENLISTED aircrew operations, NOT OFFICERS.

Experience

Loadmaster (AFSC 1A2x1): 7 years - 2,000 hours - C-5A Galaxy cargo plane. Flight Engineer (AFSC 1A1x1C): 7 years - 2,500 hours - C-141B Starlifter cargo plane, 10 years - 3,800 hours - KC-10A Extender aerial tanker. Served as aircrew Flight Instructor, Flight Evaluator and Training Manager

Education/Credentials
Aircraft Loadmaster Initial Qualification - 1980. Mission Qualification (C-5A) - 1981. Fixed Wing Aircraft Performance Course - 1987. Initial Flight Engineer Qualification (C-141B) - 1987. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1988. KC-10 Initial Qualification Course - 1994. Mission Qualification (KC-10A) - 1995. Instructor Qualficiation (KC-10A) - 1997. Evaluator Qualification (KC-10A) - 2000.

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