Leaders of the 21st Special Tactics Squadron at Pope AFB, N.C., tell the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer that the unit has half of the 50 enlisted Combat Controllers it is authorized. And, they say, more than half of the current enlisted group have less than four years experience. Air Force leadership is well aware of the problem and have begun encouraging more personnel to enter the critical battlefield airman career fields, ramping up training, but it takes extensive training—two years for combat controllers. (Read more about Battlefield Airmen.)
Air Force Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich assumed command of U.S. European Command on July 1, taking over the key assignment as the U.S. and its allies contend with a resurgent Russia and a grinding war in Ukraine.
