I worked on F-4s and KC/EC-135s. One of the F-4 pilots came in pretty low on fuel one day, low enough to turn on the "Low Fuel" warning light, and thinking that when the gauge read zero he actually had about 500 lbs. remaining.
So at maintenance debriefing he asked another instrument guy (not I) how much he really had when the gauge read zero, and the answer is ZERO. He was stunned to realize that he almost let the aircraft run out of fuel for no good reason.
The calibration procedure was to pull the plane into the Fuel Shop and they would completely drain all tanks. Then we instrument guys used our equipment to calibrate the gauge(s) to...zero!
“...One of the F-4 pilots came in pretty low on fuel one day, low enough to turn on the “Low Fuel” warning light... he asked ... how much he really had when the gauge read zero, and the answer is ZERO. He was stunned to realize that he almost let the aircraft run out of fuel for no good reason...”
Yet another example of why fighter pilots are in constant need of adult supervision.
I had to work with many fighter pilots during the second half of my time on active duty. Many I met would not have been stunned to hear the news you colleague delivered. They are completely convinced their own ego outclasses everything else - including reality.
Immature, in addition. Terrible candidates for senior leadership. But that is all we get.