There
is a small contingent of pilots and sensor operators in Southwest Asia and more back in the states at Nellis AFB, Nev., who fly and target the MQ-1 Predator unmanned aerial vehicles. The SWA-based pilots get the small aircraft off the ground and remotely fly the UAV within 25 miles of their base; they also engage weapons. Once beyond the 25-mile perimeter, though, the stateside pilots take over. Maj. Craig Babbitt, commander of the 46th Expeditionary Reconnaissance Squadron, told the Red Tail Flyer that the only reason the stateside pilots don’t fly the entire mission is because of a six-second satellite delay. Still, being able to fly the bulk of every mission from Nevada means the Air Force can limit the number of airmen it must deploy. Babbitt has less than a dozen airmen in his squadron.
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.