Safety remains at the forefront of reintegrating F-15s into the daily operations defending North American airspace, says Maj. Gen. Hank Morrow, head of 1st Air Force and the Continental US NORAD Region. “The critical step,” he says, will be “the initial cadre” of F-15 pilots who regain their landing currency and will then manage the “re-currency” for the rest of their units. “Landing currency will get us back in the air, but restoring the other demanding currencies requires particular attention, judgment, and hands-on risk management,” he says. “Oversight and certification of this program as it relates to [Air National Guard] units remains with the wing’s leadership and instructor pilots.”
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.