Senior Fighter Combat Instructor Squadron Leader Jason Gamlin has racked up 4000 flying hours in the Hornet – the second person in Australia to achieve the milestone.
The first was Squadron Leader Daniel Grealy, who still instructs alongside Squadron Leader Gamlin at 1 Squadron Training Flight, flying both Hornet aircraft types: the F/A-18 A/B Classic Hornet and the F/A-18F Super Hornet.
Even after all those hours as pilot and instructor, Squadron Leader Gamlin is still passionate about the aircraft and its capability.
“The Hornet is an amazing aircraft to fly – both models,” Squadron Leader Gamlin said.
“It handles brilliantly, is constantly upgraded, it brings a lot to the fight, and puts a smile on my face every single day I get to fly it!”
Squadron Leader Gamlin’s Hornet career began almost 30 years ago in 1995 when first training on the aircraft at 2 Operational Conversion Unit.
‘We had the luxury of really consolidating our training as we didn’t have as many roles or mission sets and weapons, and we got really good at the basics.’
This led ‘Gam’ to the Fighter Combat Instructor course in 1999 and from that time he has instructed generations of pilots, adding weapons systems officers (WSO) to his long list of trainees after moving to the F/A-18F Super Hornet in 2010.
Commanding Officer of 1 Squadron, Wing Commander Sean Hamilton, described Squadron Leader Gamlin as a great mentor to him over the years.
“He was the fighter combat instructor at 77 Squadron when I conducted work experience there during ADFA (Australian Defence Force Academy), my first executive officer at 77 Squadron, my supervisor while I worked in Air Combat Integration, my squadron commanding officer when we deployed on the last strike rotation in Okra, and now he’s one of our senior instructors and lead Display Flying Authorisation officer,” Wing Commander Hamilton said.
“A massive congratulations for achieving 4000 hours, ‘Gam’ – thank you for all you’ve taught us throughout that time.”
Squadron Leader Gamlin said that when he started out, things were much simpler.
“We had the luxury of really consolidating our training as we didn’t have as many roles or mission sets and weapons, and we got really good at the basics,” he said.
“Fast-forward to today, things are substantially different in the technology, the weapons and how we operate – same-looking jet but vastly different.”
Squadron Leader Gamlin said he enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge on the Hornet to a new generation of aircrew.
“It’s so rewarding to work with such motivated and talented folk, helping them realise their dreams of being fighter aircrew,” Squadron Leader Gamlin said.
“I take the opportunity to savour every flight and experience offered in these amazing machines.
“It’s an honour and privilege to fly them, which I don’t take lightly.”
