Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Royal air force Flight Lieutenant Ian Hart stands in front of the “Spirit of Louisiana” B-2 Spirit June 10, 2014, at RAF Fairford, England. Hart is part of a United States-United Kingdom exchange program, where he trains alongside American B-2 pilots. Since 2012, he has been flying the B-2 as part of the 13th Bomb Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Hart is a GR4 Tornado pilot (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson)Royal Air Force Flight Lieutenant Ian Hart stands in front of a B-2 Spirit June 10, 2014, at RAF Fairford, England. Hart is part of a United States - United Kingdom exchange program, where he trains alongside American B-2 pilots. Since 2012, he has been flying the B-2 as part of the 13th Bomb Squadron, Whiteman Air Force Base, Mo. Hart is a GR4 Tornado pilot (U.S. Air Force photo/Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

UK pilot enhances interoperability with AFPublished June 12, 2014
                    
                    By Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson
                    
                    
                    2nd Air Expeditionary Group Public Affairs
            **ROYAL AIR FORCE FAIRFORD, England (AFNS) --**When the B-2 Spirit arrived here for training June 8, a Royal Air Force pilot was part of an elite exchange program between the two allies.
This exchange program is a tangible representation of the special relationship the U.S. and U.K. have enjoyed for many years. 
Flight Lieutenant Ian Hart has been training with the 13th Bomb Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. since 2012, and is a fully mission-qualified B-2 instructor pilot in the. 
"In the U.K., we're lucky enough to have exchanges all over the world with our allies," Hart said. "We have more with the U.S. than anyone else because they're a very close ally."The U.S. and UK have fought and trained side-by-side since World War I. One way to strengthen partnerships among the two nations is with interoperability training between warfighters. Using exchange programs the two nations accomplish operational training in a variety of mission specialties including intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, tankers, bombers, fighters and helicopters.
"It's about building an understanding," Hart said. "We're improving relations, interoperability and understanding with how closely we work together."
Hart is the fourth RAF pilot to to fly the B-2, and recently his training brought him back to RAF Fairford. 
"It's lovely to get back and see the local area," Hart said. "Fairford is a lovely place and things feel more familiar to me, like driving on the 'correct side' of the road, among other things."
Hart flew the RAF GR4 Tornado for more than 10 years before he trained in the B-2. He has enjoyed experiencing the differences between the two types of aircraft, as well as the difference between the U.S. military and the RAF operational procedures, particularly in the area of air traffic control.
"I've got a head start on the other pilots in the U.K. because I understand the structure and the air traffic control procedures," Hart said. "In the U.S., rules are much more aligned through the Federal Aviation Administration and the way their airspace is structured."
Hart remarked that this program has allowed him to grow in many ways. 
"Seeing different structures and rules have really helped me develop professionally both as an officer and a pilot," Hart said. "It's given me ideas I will bring home on how we can improve systems ourselves."
Hart believes having a common understanding of flight operations between the Air Force and RAF will in turn make integration even more seamless.
The methods of training are different between the two nations, though the intent is the same, he said.
"The way rules are written on how pilots must land, perform air refuels, and other various tasks to maintain mission readiness are different," Hart said.
Nevertheless, Hart noted the outcome is still to provide professional, highly trained pilots.
"Professionalism and pride are right at the top of the similarities that we both have," Hart said. "The core of what we do remains the same throughout. We both have that to succeed, and that drive to do better, learn and teach other people." 
If Hart was called today to fight alongside the U.S., he would be ready, he said.
"We maintain that combat currency," Hart said. "Part of what we're doing here is to keep that mission training going to see how we would operate in a different airspace. I maintain my combat currencies just like every other pilot on the B-2. I have to hit the same standards and requirements to ensure that we are ready to go."training 



Royal Air Force 



 



B-2 Spirit Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                SecAF, CSAF, CMSAF begin Indo-Pacific trip focused on ACE
                    
                    DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fightInnovation
                F-16s arrive to be modified for autonomous testing
                    
                    AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalistsMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil