Training continues, pilots reunite in Poland

by 1st Lt. Sara Harper
52nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs

3/28/2014 - LASK AIR BASE, Poland -- Two F-16 Fighting Falcon captains walked out to the flightline, joking and reminiscing about their days spent at undergraduate pilot training at Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. -- embracing the opportunity to train together once again, this time in the skies over Poland.

Capt. Jordan Wilkie, 555th Fighter Squadron pilot, is currently a part of an off-site training mission with the Polish air force. But, this isn't the first time Wilkie has interacted with Polish pilots. He trained three Polish students when he was a first assignment instructor pilot from 2008 to 2011.

Polish air force Capt. Krzystof Jedrzejczak, 32nd Tactical Air Base, 10th Tactical Fighter Squadron pilot, attended undergraduate pilot training in Mississippi where he learned to fly fixed-wing aircraft, both the T-6 Texan II and the T-38 Talon. Prior to his pilot training in America, he was a helicopter pilot flying with U.S. forces in Iraq.

Jedrzejczak met Wilkie during the first phase of training, Wilkie was one of his T-6 instructor pilots.

When the two pilots ran into each other after nearly four years, they picked up like no time had passed. Their conversation was filled with talk about airplanes, deployments and different experiences they've had in their respective air forces.

"Do you get to fly with MiGs? Su-22s?" Wilkie prods. "How are you liking the Viper?"

It goes on, just a casual conversation and questions asked between colleagues.

Earlier this month, the Polish government invited 12 F-16s from Aviano Air Base, Italy, to the aviation detachment here, which resulted in a short-notice tasking for approximately 200 people.

The fact that these two officers already knew each other makes the transition of flying together that much easier, because the foundation of trust is already there and it's easier to get straight to the tactics, explained Wilkie.

Objectives for these training missions consist of air-to-ground, close air support and surface attack sorties, which ultimately enhance bilateral defense ties between the U.S and Poland.

Seeing a familiar face in a foreign country always makes things easier, says Wilkie. But, the benefits go beyond casual conveniences and begin to translate into easier communication while flying.

"There is a definite advantage of knowing the guy on the other side of the radio," said Wilkie. "He's someone I've already flown with and built rapport with and I also know that we have the same skills and abilities and can operate on the same level."

Jedrzejczak had the same feeling about working with an old instructor, saying it makes it easier that NATO allies and coalition partners are bonded by the same ideals.

"We are working and living and fighting for the same truth and rights, we are speaking the same language and in my opinion we are working here like brothers," said Jedrzejczak.

As Wilkie looks back on his time as an instructor pilot, he said it's rewarding to see a student out in the operational air force.

"It's neat to see the effects of the mission, from the Air Education and Training Command to now the operational air force flying in Poland," Wilkie said. "Seeing previous students now operating as mission commanders and flight leads for their respective air forces is really neat. To see them take their lessons learned and pass it along and now instruct in their air forces, and see them succeeding in their country is rewarding."

If the training timeline progresses as planned, Wilkie and Jedrzejczak should fly together by the end of the month. This will bring back memories for both pilots as they look forward to the opportunity to work together again.