AETC Flying Training Support Employee of the Year

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Rachelle Elsea
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Mr. Bradford Young, 325th Training Support Squadron F-22 modernization and training integration lead, was recently recognized as the 2011 Air Education and Training Command Flying Training Support Employee of the Year.

Mr. Young was born and raised in Cincinnati and then moved to Miami for high school. After graduation he attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and earned a degree in aerospace engineering.

He then became a pilot in the United States Air Force.

"I managed to stay in the cockpit for 20 years," said Mr. Young. "I was a Command Pilot with more than 3,800 T-37,T-38, and F-15 flying hours. I was also a United States Air Force Fighter Weapons School F-15C graduate and was fortunate enough to command the 60th Fighter Squadron at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla."

He retired in early 2003 as the deputy operations group commander of Eglin's 33rd Fighter Wing and returned straight to Tyndall, where he had been F-15 instructor in the early 90s.

Mr. Young said he enjoys training and working with the world's only 5th generation fighter pilots.

"Additionally, I love the dynamics of a rapidly changing aircraft as the F-22 continually improves upon its operational capabilities," said Mr. Young. "I specifically like figuring out how to best train our pilots with academic programs, syllabus, courseware, and simulator missions in support of these modernization efforts. Perhaps the greatest byproduct of this effort is my interaction with former active duty pilots now serving our nation as civilian instructors and design engineers associated with the program."

Mr. Young is also the focal point for ensuring the F-22 pilot manuals are written in a language that the fighter pilot understands.

"Engineers sometimes write system descriptions in a manner that is technically correct; however, very difficult to understand unless modified and edited into pilot-friendly language," said Mr. Young. "This mitigates potential misunderstanding of actual operating capabilities and limitations."

His hard work does not go unnoticed.

"The men and women of the 325th Training Support Squadron are an extremely talented group of mission-focused experts producing tomorrow's Air Dominance warriors with unsurpassed training realism," said Lt. Col. Douglas Kugler, 325th TRSS commander. "Mr. Young, a vital member of this squadron, has made a personal commitment to the F-22 program and this squadron's success. He consistently provides phenomenal leadership in the academic classroom and simulator scenarios for F-22 pilots while also championing modernization efforts and future training plans. We are extremely pleased with AETC's recognition of Mr. Young's dedication, leadership and outstanding performance with his selection as the 2011 AETC Flying Training Support Employee of the Year."

Mr. Young was humbled by the award and credits it to the squadron as a whole.

"I honestly believe that this reflects appropriately of the how well the 325th TRSS accomplishes its mission," said Mr. Young. "I challenge anyone to produce an equivalent product to the Combat Air Forces. We have the best people in the world. I am very proud of what we are charged to do and what we deliver to our Air Force. Somehow, even after 30 years, it's still fun."