Live-drop training ensures mission readiness

by Senior Airman Benjamin Sutton
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

1/14/2013 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho  -- On a chilly flightline a pilot goes through his pre-flight checks and inspections on the aircraft he will be flying today.

This is no ordinary flight for Capt. Brett Black, 389th Fighter Squadron B Flight commander; today his training means dropping live rounds.

"Running a sortie with live ammunition is exciting as well as challenging," said Black. "We can only release live bombs on certain targets in specially approved airspace. Therefore, we do additional planning to ensure success is achieved safely."

This specific training assists pilots with their mission readiness.

"This training is important, especially for our younger aircrew members who have never dropped a live weapon before," Black said. "It gives us the opportunity to validate our tactics, gives us more knowledge about the weapons we employ and gives us the most realistic combat training available."

This hands-on training isn't just limited to aircrew personnel.

"This training benefits everyone including the ammo and weapons troops who build and load the live bombs to the crew chiefs who preps and launches the jet with actual bombs," Black said. "Finally, the aircrew practice developing a solid, executable, attack plan in order to safely and effectively deliver the weapon."

When dealing with live ordnance, preparation begins early in order to be as safe as possible.

"Planning to drop a live weapon starts weeks in advance," Black said. "The aircrew usually starts formulating a plan based on forecast weather, range airspace and targets. On the day of, we plan and brief for typically four hours before the sortie, fly for about two hours and then debriefs can last up to four hours."

Extra hours of preparation are worth the effort for aircrew personnel because they get to witness a unique sight.

"My favorite part was watching the target explode," Black said. "This training asks us to bomb an enemy target in hostile territory and we need to do it right and destroy our targets on time, the first time.