Do USAF pilots carry side arms?

does any one know if the USAF fighter pilots carry side
arms or is it too dangerous??

yes they do, it's part of their emergency kit in case they get shot down over enemy territory

where are they in the aircraft?

They simply have a holster, or carry it in one of their pockets...

Originally posted by Zion Mainframe
They simply have a holster, or carry it in one of their pockets...

You're so gentle & cool Zion.

they wouldnt have it mounted on something in the jet, it would be as stupid as a chechyan terrorist.
"EJECT EJECT EJECT!!!" "ok hang on, let me grab my gun" lol

In the Royal Australian Airforce pilots carry a glock made out of mostly plastic in a holster on their left tit

Yes, they carry side arms in a nylon holster when flying in combat, I think it's optional when flying at least over US airspace, possibly other allied territories as well. (At least the pilots I see sometimes have them and sometimes don't but they are usually test pilots, so that may have something to do with it.)

I think they may also have the option of carrying the standard issue Baretta 9mm or a pistol of their own... providing that the size and weight are similar.

I could ask someone though, I'll probably see a pilot or two today.

Blackhawk and transport helicopter pilots carry mp5 navy edition.

Ok, I just asked an officer who is an F-15 Eagle driver with the 94th Fighter Squadron out of Langley.
He said that all USAF combat pilots are issued the standard Beretta 9mm sidearm.
They can take a personal side arm in it's stead but it has to meet certain criteria.

Thats as much as I got out of him, as he was busy going to a meeting and I should be doing my work...
HELP! I'm addicted to ATS!

(I know nothing about helicopters or naval aviation issue sidearms.. sorry)

[Edited on 22-1-2004 by intelgurl]

Thats great thanks intelgurl, Do you work at the langley research centre??

Originally posted by Raptor
Thats great thanks intelgurl, Do you work at the langley research centre??

No, I'm an avionics field specialist for Raytheon...

Originally posted by intelgurl

Originally posted by Raptor
Thats great thanks intelgurl, Do you work at the langley research centre??

No, I'm an avionics field specialist for Raytheon...

May I know where?

Do you know anyone at Litton Systems?

Originally posted by THENEO
Do you know anyone at Litton Systems?

No, sorry...

Originally posted by surfup

May I know where?

No offense but I would prefer not to say which specific office I'm out of.
However, I will say I'm based in the eastern US and I travel an awful lot.

Originally posted by intelgurl
No offense but I would prefer not to say which specific office I'm out of.
However, I will say I'm based in the eastern US and I travel an awful lot.

That is ok, there is Radoen near where I live, just wondering if you are working there...Guess not.

No Offense Taken.

Raytheon really my dad used to work for General Dynamics on the Ohio Class subs back in the day. Didnt Raytheon produce some parts or tech for the rovers to mars???

LOL
well under the present situation with the Spirit Rover I don't know if it's good to be associated with the mission or not... (just kidding)
Aside from hardware on the launch and transit vehicles, the Spirit and Opportunity Rovers employ Raytheon's Miniature Thermal Emission Spectrometer (Mini-TES), this takes measurements of atmosphere, soil, etc. gathering data that is sent back to NASA and evaluated.

I personally am so far removed from the space exploration end of the business I had to gather the above information from a brochure in the front lobby...

They all carry their side arms, plus. there is an "enmergency " survival rifle in their survival pack.. Its just a puny little .22 folding rifle, probably meant for game.