The new Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals course established at Vance AFB, Okla., just flew its first sortie earlier this month. Vance’s new 3rd Fighter Training Squadron formed earlier this year. This first class comprises six students, recent graduates of Joint Specialized Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance, reports Capt. Tony Wickman. “In 18 months, these pilots are going to be the ones in the skies over Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Lt. Col. Thomas Tyson, 3rd FTS commander.
An important U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry AWACS command and control plane was among the aircraft damaged in a March 27 Iranian missile and drone attack on Prince Sultan Air Base, Saudi Arabia, people familiar with the matter told Air & Space Forces Magazine.