PACAF takes on TAMI-21 Aircrew Transformation

  • Published
  • By Maj Eric Hilliard
  • PACAF Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii --  To win the Global War on Terror, the Air Force must leverage the skills and capabilities of the Total Force and to do that will require new thinking by Air Force leadership--enter into the picture the Transformational Aircrew Management Initiatives for the 21st Century or TAMI-21.

Starting in October 2007, the Air Force will be executing a proactive Aircrew Management program to ensure our pilots have the requisite skill sets to fight and win today's and tomorrow's battles. TAMI-21 is a series of Aircrew Management initiatives that will best develop and utilize pilot and career enlisted aviator skill sets.

"These initiatives are far reaching," said Maj Gen Jeff Remington, PACAF Director of Air, Space and Information Operations. "The importance of this initiative in balancing our rated force, so that we as Warrior Airmen, may continue to provide world-class airpower to Combatant Commanders (COCOMs) is what it's all about," he said.

To balance the rated force and enable long-term mission success, the Air Force Chief of Staff approved six initiatives. They include: Eliminate over-manning in Combat Air Force (CAF) operational units, open up previously restricted platforms to new pilots, Convert rated billets to Career Enlisted Aviators (CEAs) billets, Utilize Total Force expertise and absorption capacity, Increase the number of required monthly sorties for inexperienced pilots, and Ensure aircrew training requirements meet Combatant Commander (COCOM) needs.

Leaning forward as always, PACAF is read to launch the first initiative--Eliminating over-manning in CAF operational units.

Throughout the Air Force, the annual Air Force pilot production goal will be adjusted to force requirements and will be managed in the range of approximately 1,000 pilots per year. In addition, AFPC will begin moving experienced and inexperienced pilots out of over-manned fighter and bomber ops units starting with the Oct 07-Jan 08 assignment cycle. This pilot redistribution process is expected to last four PCS cycles beginning this October (with assignment matching occurring this summer) and concluding in January 2009.

According to the plan, all of these pilots will move to validated pilot requirements. The experienced pilots will move to positions such as Air Force Instructors, Accession Sources, AOC, ALO, and staff assignments.

Additionally, in line with the growing importance of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UASs), the inexperienced pilots will be transferred into new career paths in AFSOC cockpits and UAS assignments. The Air Force plans to allow fighter and bomber pilots with limited experience (more than 1 year Time on Station and less than 400 fighter or 450 bomber hours) to volunteer for long-term reassignment to AFSOC and UAS mission areas. If enough volunteers do not step forward, the Air Force will fairly and objectively identify candidates to be reassigned to AFSOC and UAS mission areas, via established AFPC practices.

PACAF Airmen are encouraged to speak with their commander's and leadership for more information.

Expect additional information about TAMI-21 to be released within weeks.