Comb
at Rescue Officers held the training that separates wannabes from those who can become CROs recently at Fairchild AFB, Wash., observing 18 active and reserve airmen—who may be officers, enlisted in a commissioning program, or AFROTC cadets—during a week of “intense physical, mental, and psychological training,” reports journalist SSgt. Larry Carpenter. The Phase 2 testing weeds out applicants who probably could not make it through the full 13-month CRO training program. Before entering Phase 2, the applicants must pass a medical qualification screening process. As tough as Phase 2 is, it’s only the “crawl” portion of the program’s crawl-walk-run concept, says Capt. Chadwick Sterr, CRO selection program manager.
The Air Force Historical Foundation has recognized two Air Force B-2 Spirit bomber wings among the winners of its 2025-2026 prestigious annual awards, selecting both for their part in Operation Midnight Hammer, the daring raid on Iran’s fortified nuclear weapons sites.

