VMFA-122 pilots become first Fighter Attack Instructors

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Justin Boling | Capt. Brian Hansell, a Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 F/A-18 Hornet pilots, passed the final requirements to receive the fighter attack instructor designation. The criteria for the desgiantoin was set fourth by Marine Aviation and Weapons Tactics Squadron 1 and Marine Corps Training and Education Command.  

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

09.06.2012

Story by Cpl. Justin Boling 

Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort

MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, S.C. — F/A-18 Hornet pilots constantly learn and maintain a plethora of tactical knowledge.

Two Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 pilots were the first Marine aviators to earn the fighter attack instructor designation and are tasked with sharing their knowledge with their juniors.

“The purpose of this designation is to provide an instructor cadre at the middle experience level,” said Capt. Geoffrey Franks, the Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 122 pilot training officer. “A fighter attack instructor will be able to teach at a more general level.

“They will be able to instruct in many different areas, which are very important to the tactical employment of the F-18.”

Capt. Albert Garcia IV and Capt. Brian Hansell, both F/A-18 Hornet pilots, passed the final requirements set forth by Marine Aviation and Weapons Tactics Squadron 1 and Marine Corps Training and Education Command.

“We will now be in charge of teaching some of the more junior pilots advanced tactics,” said Garcia, a Georgetown, Texas native. “It is going to enhance the ability for junior pilots to seek out the knowledge they need to know.”

Weapon system knowledge, air to air combat tactics and low altitude aerial combat strategy only name a few of the skills used to provide close air support to ground forces or provide maritime security.

“It was a pretty challenging course,” Hansell said. “We had both WTI and MAWTS-1 instructors
come out to evaluate us.

“These instructors would go through all of the mission capabilities of the Hornet to ensure that we have the knowledge and are able to share with junior pilots.”

“It is a good feeling to have earned the designation, but without the preparation by our squadron and training officer we would have not been able to accomplish it,” Garcia said.

The six F/A-18 Hornet squadrons aboard the Air Station fulfill numerous operational commitments around the globe from training with foreign militaries to providing close support to troops on the ground.

“We have Weapons and Tactics instructors and TOPGUN graduates on hand, who can teach at a very high level, but we only have a few of them,” said Frank. “A fighter attack instructor will be able to instruct at lower level to ensure a higher level of proficiency in less experienced pilots.

“We always need the highest standard for instruction at the middle level, which leads to highest
level of performance from that level.”

• Date Taken: 09.06.2012
• Date Posted: 09.06.2012 13:48
• Story ID: 94314
• Location: MARINE CORPS AIR STATION BEAUFORT, SOUTH CAROLINA, US