All three contributors to US Special Forces command are facing shortages in their ranks, as the Pentagon is pressing to significantly expand all manner of special operations forces over the next few years, reports USA Today. According to Today, the lure of higher paying civilian contractor jobs is taking its toll, not to mention the fact that it is tough to get through the intense training regimen. An earlier report by the Fayetteville (N.C.) Observer noted that one Air Force squadron had half the combat controllers it was authorized. Today, which ran an article in May about Air Force recruiters frequenting thrill-seeking sports venues, now says the Air Force has 504 of the 616 combat controllers it needs.
The last remaining T-1 Jayhawk at JBSA-Randolph, Texas, took its final flight to the "Boneyard" at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., on July 15. The 99th Flying Training Squadron will train pilots using T-6 and simulator until it gets T-7 Red Hawk in fiscal 2026.