A Mississippi air base now is engaged in training international military pilots, with some 32 students from 17 countries, reports a base release. At Columbus Air Force Base, there are three foreign programs: A 12-month course provides military students from Italy, Japan, Nigeria, Portugal, and Singapore the same type specialized undergraduate pilot training as USAF pilot trainees undergo; a 10-month aviation leadership course prepares students for follow-on aircraft in their home country; and a five-month Polish Pilot Program trains Poland’s pilots to fly the F-16, using the T-38C trainer.
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
