42nd ECS begins training Compass Call pilots

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Mary J. Pekas
  • 355th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
DAVIS-MONTHAN AIR FORCE BASE, Ariz. --  The 42nd Electronic Combat Squadron here reached a historic milestone in the EC-130H Compass Call community by flying its first sortie here July 24.

"This flight represents the culmination of a yearlong effort to meet a dire need in the Compass Call community," said Lt. Col. Mitch Hanscom, 42nd ECS commander.

Re-activated March 10, 2006, as the flying training unit for Compass Call, the Raptors have been tasked to provide all programmed flying training and positional upgrade training for 10 separate crew positions, executing 17 Air Combat Command syllabi to qualify more than 200 aircrews annually.

Before the maiden flight under the call sign "Toxic 42," EC-130 training events were conducted on sorties operated by the 41st and 43rd ECS, utilizing instructors from both squadrons. With the strain already heavy on these units for ongoing deployments, the 42nd ECS provides the group a dedicated ability to continue training without tapping into the resources necessary to continue downrange support and prepare for other contingency operations.

Maj. Leo Cissell, an instructor pilot for the 42nd ECS, said the Raptors guarantee the long-term viability of the weapon system, preserving Compass Call's ability to provide electronic fires for warfighters for years to come.

The unit gained more than 60 billets for instructors and support personnel, while maintaining manning levels necessary in the existing squadrons to sustain the EC-130's 40 continuous months of combat operations.

"In a time of deep cutbacks Air Force-wide, the efforts of the 42nd ECS and the 55th Electronic Combat Group over the past year tell a huge success story," Major Cissell said.

"Reaching this milestone could not have happened without the shared commitment of the leadership and personnel at all levels of the units within the 55th ECG," Colonel Hanscom said. "The outstanding maintenance support and personnel support we have gotten from our sister squadrons is a testament to the outstanding teamwork going on at the Whiskey Ramp here at D-M."