Where NATO’s fighter pilots are trained

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There’s something that fighter pilots from Belgium, Denmark, Germany and 11 other NATO Allies have in common: their flying careers started in Texas, USA.

That’s where the Euro-NATO Joint Jet Pilot Training (ENJJPT) programme has been training pilots since the early 80s, when a number of countries decided to found the programme at Sheppard Air Force Base. While conceived of as a cost-saving measure, giving Allies the chance to pool resources in the resource-intensive task of training new fighter pilots, this training has since become a place for students and instructors to pass on tactics and form multinational relationships that will span their careers. Allies contributing to this training are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Throughout the course, students learn the fundamentals of flight, progressing from ground school to the prop-driven T-6 Texan trainer - and finally to the T-38 Talon, a supersonic jet trainer that prepares them for the physical and mental strain of flying tactical aircraft. With 12-hour working days and plenty of bookwork to supplement the flying, this course ensures that only the most skilled and most dedicated graduate serve as fighter pilots in their country’s air forces.

This video follows Royal Danish Air Force Lieutenant ”Bun” and Belgian Air Force Lieutenant Jade. Having since completed the programme, ‘Bun’ is now training to fly C-130 Hercules transport aircraft, while Jade is preparing to fly the F-16 Fighting Falcon. Future generations of Belgian pilots will also have the chance to fly the F-35 Lightning II, as Belgium is in the process of adding these assets to its fleet. The first F-35A jet will enter service at Luke Air Force Base in the United States in 2024, and at Florennes Air Base in Belgium from 2025 onwards.

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The ceremony where they find out what aircraft they will fly is awesome

yomama
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Can we just take a moment to appreciate all those pilots flying A400, C130 or C-5? Much less glamour, but maybe even more vital than all the cool.fighter pilots?

schlollepop
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I want to take a moment to express my sincere appreciation for the excellent content that NATO consistently shares regarding military matters.

ItzKamatsu
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That pilot that got the f-35 was exploding with awesome.

migueldelacruz
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I was an aircraft mechanic (crew chief) on A-10s at Myrtle Beach AFB. I did my initial training at Shepard AFB in 1985. Lots of terrific memories and wonderful people..students and instructors. Myrtle Beach and many of the bases I visited TDY for exercises like Victorville, Barbers Point NAS in Oahu were closed down. Lackland and Shepard are the only 2 left I know!
Nice to see Shepard still going strong! Congrats to all these new pilots!

Builder
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My cousins son Casey was top of his class as a NATO fighter pilot and went on to become one of the first F-22 raptor pilots.. Now flying for Alaska airlines 👨‍✈️ Pretty big accomplishment for a quiet humble farm kid from Oregon..

byby
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Congrats to all of you, Young Generations of NATO Pilots. As a former Pilot student at Reese AFB - Texas, in 1981-82 ( the Joint NATO Fighter Pilots was still a Project at the time) I graduate with the Class 82/07. I still remember my Graduation Day and I could feel the excitement these Jong Pilots felt on “their day”. What an amazing experience was flying with the T37 (in use in those days) and the T38. Even better was the Fighter Training School in Holloman AFB (New Mexico). Form a former Italian Air Force Pilot to all you I forward my strong respect for such an achievement and may the sky reward you with all the best. Good luck and Fly High. Regards.

frankb
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On a daily basis, as a Navy student pilot, I interact with fellow students from Spain, Italy, France, etc, and I have the utmost respect for them. Considering you “lose 50% of your brain power when you hop in the cockpit”, these guys not only overcome that, but do it in a non-native language. It’s humbling, and I’m glad they’re on our side.

bladfadsfblaadsfsadf
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Greetings from Brazil, I just wish you all the very best and I also wanna say thank you for your service, you guys makes the skies safer and the world a better place. Keep up the good job.

Bushmaster
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That’s a lot of T38s! Those things were awesome from the maintenance side. Damn near unbreakable

ProBioMech
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This truly helps you understand the enormity of the USA contribution to the NATO alliance.

frank-kode
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Great exchange at Sheppard AFB and Wichita Falls, Texas! My Dad was stationed there 3 times during my US Military Family career. Salute!

emgzwhn
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Awesome video! The best part was seeing the excitement of the students, when they find out what aircraft they will ultimately be assigned to. Super cool!! Thank you so much for sharing this video. I really enjoyed it. Have a great day. 😊

bradlavassaur
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Awesome! I love that they get that camaraderie and the chance to support and celebrate each other during training.

CausticLemons
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My father was there as a member of the Royal Dutch Airforce, in the early 50's flying the T6 and later the P-51D...

rwallage
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I love to see that they are all such good friends and teammates!

freyafabulous
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"Hometown"
"French Belgium"

lmao

benjaminthorsen
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This is an amazing and emotional film. I just realized you're doing this training here in my amazing state of Texas.

cesmigs
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this is so interesting! maybe i´ll choose that path.

ibiskiils
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video kept a good focus on Lt. Jade! Stunningly beautiful with a nice smile.

drittpassord