It’s not flying with different aircraft that presents the biggest challenge, it’s figuring out the other service’s lingo—a familiar refrain for many air and maintenance crews. Still, the 33rd Fighter Wing at Eglin AFB, Fla., sent more than 200 airmen and several of its F-15s to fly dissimilar air combat training with Navy fighters at NAS Key West, Fla., reports Eglin journalist Jenna McMullin. The DACT exercise ends today. Eglin F-15s flew against F-5s from Key West and F-18Es and F/A-18s from NAS Lemoore, Calif.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.