I read this in stars and stripes? or Army Times? the other day. The USAF has decided to do away with most pilots survival equipment. They will also end the "Sandy" air rescue and recovery teams. They seem to see it as a simple cost /benefit problem. Since less than 1% of all shot down pilots are ever rescued, and since the USAF loses on average 6 men for every rescued pilot, they no longer see any attempt at rescue on land BEL (Behind enemy lines) as being cost effective. Air sea rescue equipment will still be issued, and sea recovery will still be standardized. But the days of the survival vest and Jolly Green's are over. I guess if USAF pilots want to carry survival gear they can buy it at wal-mart and build there own vest. BTW The Army, Navy and USMC are still maintaining rescue programs for downed airmen. Only the USAF seems to think that pilots are an expendable asset.---Ray
IMO. The USAF plans to do away with human combat pilots soon anyway. They are now so invested in drones and AI as the "Next Gen" that they don't see recruiting or retaining the next generation all that important. Also the US Space Force (there really is such a thing) is now in competition for all the top people. They are building up FAST and its all DEEP BLACK projects.---Ray
I read this in stars and stripes? or Army Times? the other day. The USAF has decided to do away with most pilots survival equipment. They will also end the "Sandy" air rescue and recovery teams. They seem to see it as a simple cost /benefit problem. Since less than 1% of all shot down pilots are ever rescued, and since the USAF loses on average 6 men for every rescued pilot, they no longer see any attempt at rescue on land BEL (Behind enemy lines) as being cost effective. Air sea rescue equipment will still be issued, and sea recovery will still be standardized. But the days of the survival vest and Jolly Green's are over. I guess if USAF pilots want to carry survival gear they can buy it at wal-mart and build there own vest. BTW The Army, Navy and USMC are still maintaining rescue programs for downed airmen. Only the USAF seems to think that pilots are an expendable asset.---Ray
ReplyDeleteWell that won't help recruitment and retention problems will it?
DeleteIMO. The USAF plans to do away with human combat pilots soon anyway. They are now so invested in drones and AI as the "Next Gen" that they don't see recruiting or retaining the next generation all that important. Also the US Space Force (there really is such a thing) is now in competition for all the top people. They are building up FAST and its all DEEP BLACK projects.---Ray
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