The TRAPCON, for transportable radar approach control, airmen at Balad AB, Iraq, who control the airspace in central Iraq average less than four years in service. And, the environment is much more dynamic than the formula, FAA-controlled US airspace. “These airmen amaze me every day,” SSgt. Brandi Cannedy told the Red Tail Flyer. She went on to say that there is a “steep learning curve,” and the airmen have much more responsibility than when she started out in the career field.
The Air Force wants to pump more than $12 billion over the next five years into its new affordable long-range missiles program and recently asked industry to push the flights of some of those munitions beyond 1,200 miles.