Drop Night

Last night was one of the memorable nights we have on Laughlin AFB, because it was Drop Night, a key  milestone in UPT (Undergraduate Pilot Training). Basically Americans who want to become a pilot in the US Air Force undergo the UPT program. It consists of 6-month training in the T-6 aircraft, after which is Track (another key milestone in UPT) whereby they get assigned to continue pilot training on the helicopter track, the heavys track (i.e. transport) in the T1 aircraft or the fighter track in the T38 aircraft. However, even training in the T38 doesn't guarantee you a fighter at the end of the program.

So Drop Night occurs after training in the T6  for 6 months, and T1/T38 for another 6 months, and its the day when our American counterparts are assigned the aircraft that they will be flying on their next phase of their Air Force career. For us Singaporeans, we won't know until we are back in Singapore, which means another good 3-6 months.

I must say, it was an Awesome drop, and we are really very happy for these guys and their spouses, who have become good friends. Most of the guys in the T-38s got there first choice - one F16, one F15, one F22, two A10s and one B52. That means for 5 fighters and 1 bomber out of 8 people. And that is an AWESOME drop, probably one of the best I have heard of. Even for the other other two, one turned out to be a FAIP (First Assignment Instructor Pilot) meaning he will be an instructor training new students right after he becomes a pilot, which is a great honour, and the other will be flying the MC12, which is used for special operations, and both I think is a great honour. It wasn't really their first few choices, but that is the life in Air Force, you don't always get what you want. But i think that whatever you get, you are doing something great.  
Anyway, Jonathan, one of our best friends here, got the F15! And we are very thrilled for him and his wife Anna!!! This also means a possibility that Tay C gets the F15 too and we might have a chance to be posted to the same base as them again (Mountain Home AFB in Idaho)!






In two weeks, we will be having our graduation. I can't believe our life in Laughlin is coming to an end soon. Some beautiful memories we have here, some great friends we have met. I am thankful for this 9 months here.