文章基本信息

标题：Selfridge pilot first to complete weapons course
作者：Eric Brian
期刊名称：Citizen Airman
印刷版ISSN：0887-9680
电子版ISSN：1934-4813
出版年度：2004
卷号：Oct 2004
出版社：U.S. Air Force - Reserves

Selfridge pilot first to complete weapons course

Eric Brian

A Pilot from the 927th Air Refueling Wing, Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Mich., is the first "true traditional Reservist" to complete the Air Force KC-135 Weapons Instructor Course.

Maj. John S. "Spaz" McSpadden, 927th Operations Support Flight, is the wing's chief of tactics. He graduated from the rigorous course June 11 at Nellis Air Force Base, Nev.

The course is designed to create KC-135 tactics and planning experts and is aligned with schools for other major weapons systems.

"This is a weapons school, not just a tanker school," said Major McSpadden. "It's combined with all the major weapons system schools, such as the C-130, F-16, bombers, intel and space schools."

The major said some people may have difficulty understanding how a tanker is considered a weapons platform. "We don't drop a bomb, but in the Air Force our weapon is fuel," he said. "We can transfer tens of thousands of gallons of fuel. It is a weapon, in the broader perspective."

Each of the weapons schools lasts 5 1/2 months. All students first go to Nellis, where they complete two weeks of common academics. Then the KC-135 students go to Fairchild AFB, Wash., for 3 1/2 months of training. Students then complete a mission employment exercise.

Lt. Col. Tim Weber is acting director of operations for the 509th Weapons Squadron at Fairchild. The squadron operates the KC-135 schoolhouse. He said he was pleased with Major McFadden's graduation and that the school is trying to expand to include more traditional Reservists.

"We're trying to cater to them," Colonel Weber said. "They're unique since they've often been with their units so long and have that great continuity."

A selection board chooses four active-duty members for each school session, he said. The air reserve component--made up of the Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard--gets two slots.

Major McSpadden is the second Reservist to complete the course. He is, however, credited with being the first "true traditional Reservist." Maj. Graham Whitehouse, 64th Air Refueling Squadron tactics officer, was coming off active duty and making the transition to the Air Force Reserve when he completed the course, leaders said. (Eric Brian, 927th ARW public affairs, Selfridge ANGB)