Designed To Ease 'Chronic Vacancies' Of Active Duty Pilots

Air National Guard and Reserve pilots now have 20 more opportunities to fly in order to augment active duty chronic vacancies across the force.

The Total Force Aircrew Management – Assignment Augmentation Process increased from 10 to 30 positions Oct. 1, 2017. TFAM-AAP positions are open to fighter pilots and fighter combat systems officers only. “This is a growing total force program,” said Maj. Walt Ehman, TFAM-AAP chief. “It enables all air components to help fill pilot assignment positions around the world.”

The TFAM-AAP concept will help combat the current fighter pilot crisis by drawing on available and interested personnel with the right skills by bringing active reserve component fighter pilots into the active-duty force for two to three years using Military Personnel Appropriation days.

Born out of the 2014 Aircrew Summit, TFAM-AAP integrates the management of active-duty, Air Guard and Reserve aircrew resources to maximize total force readiness. “We already had a very successful process in place, now we’re building upon that by increasing the amount of MPA days available,” said Ehman.

Before TFAM, each component used its own model, in separate locations, to manage officers and career enlisted Airmen who fly and make up the aircrew force. “TFAM enables the use of a single agreed-upon model, in one office, to make training and resource decisions, provide policy guidance, and make integrated recommendations to solving problems like aircrew shortfalls,” said Ehman.

Interested pilots can get the latest list of TFAM-AAP assignments from Volunteer Reserve System, Air Guard Human Resources or through their ARC/ANG Fighter Operations Groups.

The TFAM-AAP is one of a wide range of initiatives meant to reverse the current pilot manning crisis by increasing pilot retention, production and absorption into the force.

(Source: USAF news release. Image from file)

FMI: www.af.mil