Most F-22 pilots pass on re-up bonus - Air Force News | News from Afghanistan & Iraq - Air Force Times

Most F-22 pilots pass on re-up bonus

In the end, 68 percent of eligible pilots signed up for the $125,000 retention bonus in fiscal 2008 — more than the goal of 66 percent — but the final numbers show troublesome trends among fighter pilots.

Fifty-nine percent of the 290 eligible fighter pilots chose to stay another five years beyond the end of their eight-year service commitment. The loss of these pilots, typically new majors on their third or fourth assignment, adds to ongoing concerns about having enough experienced pilots on hand to teach new pilots arriving at operational squadrons.

The fighters with the lowest retention rates were A-10s at 53 percent, F-16s at 51 percent and F-22s at 43 percent. Retention rates for other fighters were 81 percent for F-15Es and 68 percent for F-15s.

All other types of manned aircraft had retention better than 68 percent, ranging from 81 percent for combat rescue pilots to 71 percent for mobility pilots.

READ: Fewer fighter pilots taking re-up bonus