95th Fighter Squadron instructor pilots: local experts with global reach

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Amanda Ferrell
  • 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Two experienced F-15 Eagle instructor pilots from the 95th Fighter Squadron conducted international training missions this month, taking them far beyond the shores of Bay County.

Maj. Alaric Michaelis and Capt. David Halasi-Kun, F-15 Eagle instructor pilots assigned to the 95th FS, returned to Tyndall June 16 from a three-week deployment to Naha Air Base in Okinawa, Japan.

The two local pilots offered instruction to Japanese fighter pilots in effort to develop and improve techniques and procedures that enhance bilateral air operations for the purpose of being able to better serve the defense of Japan.

"We went to Japan to instruct the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force pilots in the fine art of air refueling," said Captain Halasi-Kun. "We provided ground instruction, gave pre-flight briefs and post-flight debriefs, and observed and instructed JASDF pilots from the back seat of the F-15J."

F-15J aircraft, which are operated exclusively by the JASDF, are modified versions of the F-15C and D models, which are vital air-to-air assets in the U.S. Air Force inventory.

"The (F-15J) aircraft is identical in design to the F-15 C and D, which we operate, though modifications to the avionics and weapons systems set our aircraft apart from those flown by the JASDF," said Capt. Halasi-Kun.

Although there are differences in briefing and debriefing techniques used in Japanese F-15 squadrons, the Eagle fighter pilot mentality and camaraderie is universal, said Capt. Halasi-Kun.

U.S. military forces frequently operate with foreign allied nations during both training and real-world scenarios, and while the overarching mission is clear, tactical details communicated through translation can be the greatest challenge.

"The greatest challenge was the language barrier," said Capt. Halasi-Kun. "Some of their pilots spoke English very well, and others did not. We could say 'hello' and 'thank you' in Japanese - but both are words that have no value when instructing air-to-air refueling."

"We had to anticipate errors, both on the ground and in the air, and provide instruction with enough time for the students to translate and process what we said," said Major Michaelis.

Cultural differences may have presented challenges initially, but Captain Halasi-Kun and Major Michaelis accomplished the training mission successfully.

Initial training sorties were daytime air-to-air refueling missions, with later flights done at night," said Major Michaelis. "We upgraded 16 JASDF trainees, re-qualified five pilots and upgraded four instructor pilots during our deployment. All of the Japanese pilots were very experienced, with an average of more than 1,000 hours in the F-15J."

International training missions coordinated between U.S. and Japanese forces have increased since 2005, when meetings between the U.S secretaries of state and defense, and the Japanese foreign and defense ministers yielded an agreement determining the alliance between the two allies would continue indefinitely, and military actions would be coordinated more closely.

While Tyndall fighter squadrons do not know when the next opportunity to train alongside the JASDF will be, the potential exists for future deployments.

"The JASDF is putting their own tanker aircraft, which is based on the Boeing 767, into service this fall," said Major Michaelis. "And we're hoping they'll invite us back to test out their new system once it's fully operational."