Fighter Weapons Instructor Training

Words Michael van der Mee, photographs by Nico van Remmerden.

On May 13, fifteen experienced F-16 pilots started the Fighter Weapons Instructor Training (FWIT) at Leeuwarden Air Base. After this course, to become qualified weapons instructor, organized by 323 TACTESS Squadron (TACtical Training Evaluation and Standardization Squadron), the pilots must know everything about the tactics, systems and weaponry on board the (Mid Life Update) F-16.

The Fighter Weapons Instructor Training has existed for roughly twenty years and was founded by the Air Forces of Belgium, Denmark, Norway and the Netherlands to train new weapon instructors on the F-16. During the early nineties this exercise was better know as the Dutch Weapons Instructor Course (DWIC).

After the MLU (Mid Life Update) on the F-16 other countries like Portugal also joined the FWIT. Once qualified, the new instructors can share their newly acquired knowledge with their less experienced colleagues back home. This FWIT course, which runs until November 15, is also participated, by other EPAF (European Participating Air Forces) members take part. The Belgian, Danish, Norwegian and Portuguese Air Forces have sent students for the 2008 edition.

The training comprises of an air-to-air and an air-to-ground part. The air-to-air phase, which runs until July 25, is being held at Leeuwarden. During this period other Air Forces will visit the base to act as DACT (Dissimilar Air Combat Training) enemies. From July 11 until July 25, four 100 Squadron Hawks of the Royal Air Force and four F-16's of the 31st Fighter Wing, USAFE participated as "Red Forces".

The first two weeks of the FWIT are academic only and do not involve actual flying. During most days of the rest of the FWIT daily two waves of around twelve jets will fly from Leeuwarden. This is in addition to the "normal" missions flown by the resident 323 TACTESS Squadron and 322 Squadron.

The air-to-ground phase starts September 1st at Main Base Ørland in Norway and runs until November 14th. This is to "export" noise from Leeuwarden as well as the availability of good air-to-ground ranges to be used for the training. After graduation the participating Air Forces can add valuable, well trained and experienced pilots to their ranks who will be able to spread the lessons learned in their own respective units.