Pilo
ts 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.
With key members of Congress wavering on the possibility of a $350 billion defense reconciliation bill, defense experts told Air & Space Forces Magazine that the Pentagon is likely drawing up budget backup plans—but such plans would face hard choices between high-end weapons and low-cost drones and other programs in…