Monday, July 22, 2013

The Growing Pilot Shortage In The U.S. Air Force

The Air Force says it has a shortage of 200 fighter pilots this year. And if something isn't done, the Air Force, which has about 3,000 fighter pilots, fears it may face a shortfall of 700 by 2021. Above, Lt. Col. Benjamin Bishop completes preflight checks in March before his first sortie in an F-35A Lightning II at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. (Samuel King Jr., U.S. Air Force / March 6, 2013)

Air Force Aims To Land More Top Guns Amid Pilot Shortage -- L.A. Times

The Pentagon is so short of Air Force fighter pilots that it's boosting its salary package to make the job more enticing.

Help wanted: At least 130 veteran military aviators for nine-year commitment to fly fighter jets.

Salary: $34,500 to $97,400. Plus good benefits and a $225,000 signing bonus — guaranteed.

Contact: U.S. Air Force by Sept. 30.

That's the offer from the Pentagon, which is so short of Air Force fighter pilots that it's boosting its salary package to make the job more enticing.

It may be hard to imagine that life as a high-flying fighter jock has lost its swagger, but the Air Force revealed it has a shortage of 200 fighter pilots this year. And if something isn't done, the Air Force, which has about 3,000 fighter pilots, fears it may face a shortfall of 700 by 2021.

Read more ....

My Comment: I am surprised that the U.S. Air Force only has 3,000 fighter pilots .... I always thought that this number was much higher.

2 comments:

ZAlgra said...

Heroes aren't made they're born.

Why would a hero work for you, when your strip him down, destroy everything he could of been and turn him into a mindless puppet that can only follow orders unquestionably.

ZAlgra said...

You have many pilots
But the fight has long since left them...