Pilots of the 18th Fighter Squadron at Eielson AFB, Alaska, are learning their new trade—serving as antagonists for “blue” forces in Red Flag-Alaska—from the veteran “Red” pilots of the 64th Aggressor Squadron. Members of the 64th from Nellis AFB, Nev., are in Alaska again to help with the 18th’s transition from fighter squadron to aggressor squadron, slated for August. First Lt. David Tomiyama reports that the Alaskan airmen also have trained at Nellis, going through intensive academics and upgrade sorties to learn their “enemy” aircraft.
This year’s Association of the United States Army’s annual meeting buzzed with talk of countering the rapidly evolving drone threat facing the entire U.S. military, including the Air Force. Leaders and defense industry officials discussed the need for new approaches to procurement and employment of a new class of these…