Travis strengthens ally ties

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Madelyn Ottem
  • 60th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Captain Jase Orr has been supporting and accomplishing the United States Air Force mission for more than a year at Travis, but he's not a member of this military, or even this country.

The Birmingham, England native has been an honorary member of the 6th Air Refueling Squadron since he arrived at Travis through the pilot exchange program from the Royal air force in the United Kingdom.

"The purpose of the pilot exchange program is to facilitate cross talk with our allied partners who operate similar platforms, often in close coordination with our force," said Lt. Col. Glen Goss, 6th ARS commander. "The cross talk offers insight not only into how partners operate in the air, but also on the ground."

In the RAF, Orr had been an aircraft commander for three years before joining the exchange program. When he hopped the pond, he changed aircraft from the VC10 Javelin to the KC-10 Extender. While both are tankers, Orr was able to observe the notable differences in the aircraft.

"The VC10 aircraft is able to support the U.S. Navy and Marines aircraft, but not the U.S. Air Force because the VC10 utilizes hoses to refuel," Orr said. "It was interesting to work with the boom on the KC-10."

His arrival in the United States changed his aircraft as well as the name of his rank. On Travis, Orr is referred to as a captain. Back home in the RAF, his rank is flight lieutenant, the equivalent of the rank of captain in the U.S. Air Force.

According to Goss, Orr has acclimated well to the transition to U.S. Air Force.

"Since entering KC-10 initial qualification in 2010, Flight Lt. Orr has dived into the way the USAF operates," Goss said. "Whether accomplishing our computer based training, learning our acronyms, deciphering our publications or accomplishing our checklists he has successfully absorbed a tremendous amount of information."

When Orr departs Travis midsummer of 2013, he will not be replaced by another RAF airman. However, he has valuable experience to bring back to the United Kingdom.

"People in the RAF rarely get the opportunity to fly in the Pacific regions, maybe once a year," Orr said. "I've had the opportunity to return to the RAF with flying experience in the Pacific, which is not common."

Conversely, Orr provided the U.S. Air Force with his unique experience in flying in the European and United Kingdom areas.

"The pilot exchange program brings experience to both parties," Orr said. "The KC-10 pilot aircraft community is not as experienced with Europe and the United Kingdom flying areas. I've flown those areas for 10 years."

"We certainly learn as much from our exchange pilots as they learn from us," Goss said. "It's a great program."

The program's intent is to strengthen the bonds between the U.S. military and foreign militaries, especially with those that the U.S. Air Force often work with jointly.

"We deploy to the same theaters," Orr said. "The program is an opportunity to exchange ideas that can benefit the Royal air force and the United States Air Force."

"Flight Lt. Orr is truly an outstanding officer and pilot," Goss said. "He is a valued member of our team."

According to Orr, the main difference between the RAF and the USAF is the size of the forces.

"This experience has made me realize how extensive and large the United States Air Force is," he said. "Because it is so much bigger, it has to have an extra level of supervision and documentation."

"I've been able to observe the true global mobility and reach that the United States Air Force accomplishes by having assets all around the world," Orr said. "I've been able to witness the size and capabilities of the USAF."