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.)
When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week citing the need to build readiness, he left it up to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide if they would still permit extra days off. Here’s how Air Force major commands are taking that guidance.