The Air Force is establishing, slowly, a new squadron at Vance AFB, Okla., to conduct introduction to fighter fundamentals training. The first three members of the new 3rd Fighter Training Squadron are at Vance to begin work for the spring activation of the unit, which will comprise 18 active duty and five Reserve instructor pilots and support personnel, reports the Enid News. Per BRAC 2005, Vance is one of three bases—Columbus AFB, Miss., and Laughlin AFB, Tex., are the other two—that will be taking over the IFF mission formerly handled at Moody AFB, Ga. The first aircraft are expected to arrive in May, and Vance’s IFF program students will likely begin their training in mid-August.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
