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When F/A18 meets Rafale: Swap!
A noter la présence d’un pilote de chasse français sur la base aérienne de Payerne volant sur F/A18 et l’accueil d’un pilote suisse à Dijon.
French pilot flies for Swiss Air Force and Swiss pilot flies for French Air Force.
Must be excellent pilots as the French have no F/A18 and the Swiss no Rafael.
Rare for cooperation between non-Nato countries.
La coopération militaire - La France en Suisse

Nothing unusual there, The RAF had regular exchange posting for pilots with in particular US Pilots who didn't fly the same types. And whilst the non NATO thing maybe less common we used to also have exchange aircrew from Australia and New Zealand plus others. Nothing new at all.

https://www.google.no/url?sa=t&rct=j...48747831,d.bGs

https://www.google.no/url?sa=t&rct=j...48747831,d.bGs

And of course, there's a Brit flying Rafale and a Frenchman flying Typhoon.

Agreed, very usual situation within NATO, I flew F15 with USAF as an IP and FE. In the UK I flew with Canadian, Australian, US, French, and German exchange pilots.

Just out of curiosity, in cases where the pilot goes to a country with a different language is there any form of training available, or do they just get given a pocket phrasebook?

Harley,

In the UK it depends on the level of immersion in the local community. The pilots I knew who did French or German exchanges did full language courses, and I believe some training was available for spouses too. However, for my Loan Service tours in Arab-and Malay-speaking countries I was given no language training. It was assumed that my crewman would always be able to handle any translation problems for me :hmm:

As for the US exchange pilots, I'm not sure how much language prep/immersion could prepare them for the culture shock...

Re Post No 6, I received no language training prior to my exchange tour in Australia, where I flew C130 A Model Hercules in the 1960s, so instead was forced to spend more than a few very pleasant hours in the Mess bar becoming acquainted with the local lingo!

I get 'refresher' training on ANZAC Day each year where I join the annual parade before the Cenotaph and afterwards in Westminster Abbey, remembering my mates of yesteryear and all the good times we had supporting the Australian Armed Forces in and around the Commonwealth.

If I remember correctly in RAFG you shouted the warnings before you opened fire in English... if they didn't understand what you were saying, then that was their problem, you had complied with the rules of engagement. :E

I would love to hear an honest "nuts to nuts" comparison from a front line pilot who has flown both types. If anyone has a link please let me know.