Dec. 3, 2020 445th Defender selected to become active-duty drone pilot A member of the 445th Airlift Wing is headed to drone pilot school in early 2021, following eight years of service to the 445th Security Forces Squadron. During the squadron’s 2018 deployment to Kuwait, Staff Sgt. Jalen McMahan, fire team member, completed accelerated online classwork toward a
Oct. 28, 2019 Air Force releases criteria for new Remote Combat Effects Campaign Medal The new medal, established by then-Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, is part of a continuing effort to recognize U.S. Air Force military members in a non-deployed status who directly participated in a Department of Defense combat operation from a remote location.
Feb. 20, 2018 Sunsetting the MQ-1 Predator: A history of innovation The MQ-1 Predator is a remotely piloted aircraft flown by aircrew assigned to the 432nd Wing/432nd Air Expeditionary Wing at Creech Air Force Base and units around the world. It has contributed to the U.S. warfighting efforts in unprecedented ways and is scheduled to sunset on March 9, 2018, as the
June 5, 2017 Air Force announces significant changes to Aviation Bonus Program As part of its retention efforts, the Air Force released details on the fiscal year 2017 Aviation Bonus Program (AvB) June 5, 2017. This year’s program implements an increase in maximum bonus amounts authorized in the fiscal 2017 National Defense Authorization Act in addition to more flexibility in
July 15, 2015 AF rolls out details to improve RPA mission In response to a critical shortage of remotely piloted aircraft pilots, the Air Force rolled out more details of its plan to fix the problem in both the short and long term. The most recent initiatives include creating bonuses for RPA pilots of $15,000 per year beginning in fiscal year 2016; placing