During the first half of pilot training, students learn how to identify American aircraft, said Jackson. They also learn to recognize foreign aircraft they may encounter in battle. Pilots must be able to compare and recognize an aircraft as friendly or enemy at a moment's notice, he added. Another part of student intelligence training involves briefing pilots on topics of political and military interest. This helps them understand current world events that could become problem areas and require military presence, Jackson explained.
Intelligence also introduces pilots to security principles.
These principles familiarize pilots with the importance of protecting classified information. Pilot intelligence classes instill knowledge of security, mission planning and specific threat systems into a pilot's mental vocabulary. Terrence Christie, 47th Flying Training Wing executive officer and KC-135 pilot. Intelligence helps keep pilots in the air, shows where the targets are located and the best possible approach to destroy targets. Then, it is the pilot's job to go and take care of the enemy, said Jackson.