49th FTS begins final Moody IFF course

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Eric Schloeffel
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  As the 479th Flying Training Group prepares to permanently fly from Moody skies, the 49th Fighter Squadron recently ushered in nine students to begin the unit's last Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals class. 

The students are scheduled to graduate May 9 when they will be transferred to different unit's throughout the Air Force to pursue their careers operating Air Force fighter aircraft. 

"I'm extremely honored to have the opportunity to be a squadron commander in this group, but even more so that the last class here is under my watch," said Lt. Col. Mark Schwarz, 49th FTS commander. "The support from Valdosta and the surrounding local communities has been tremendous and really made our experience enjoyable." 

The IFF course is designed to train the techniques of flying fighter aircraft on the AT-38C Talon to students who recently finished initial pilot training. All students are either pilot candidates or weapon system operators, and their next assignment is typically formal training at a front-line fighter unit. 

"We introduce the students to how they'll be trained at units that feature the F-15, F-16 and A-10," said Colonel Schwarz. "Their training covers the specifics of debriefing and briefing execution in the air - skills they'll need to know in the combat air forces. We structure ourselves like a real fighting squadron rather than a training organization." 

Despite their departure from Moody, the 49th FTS is not scheduled to deactivate but will instead move to Columbus Air Force Base, Miss. To officially mark this occasion, the 49th FTS is holding a ceremony March 7. 

The move is part of an Air Force initiative to bring IFF to pilot training in an effort to help save money in-light of recent budget constraints, said Colonel Schwarz. 

"We are scheduled to hold a quick ceremony to take the 49th FTS flag down," said Colonel Schwarz. "I will transfer our guidon to Col. (Richard) Turner, (479th Flying Training Squadron commander), and then load it up for it to fly out to Columbus. The ceremony will definitely leave a bittersweet feeling because we had such a good time at Moody." 

The IFF students also feel sentimental about the occasion but take pride in knowing they are part of the last class to receive fighter training at Moody, said Capt. Robin Lease, 49th FTS student pilot. 

"It means a lot to be one of the last students to receive the IFF training at Moody," said the captain, who is training to be an F-16 pilot. "My experience here has been great so far, and I hope the squadron undergoes a smooth transition when it re-locates to Columbus."