Air Force Special Operations Command has received a CV-22 Osprey simulator, the first one the command has placed in the hands of operators rather than trainers. AFSOC placed the $21 million sim with the 19th Special Operations Squadron at Hurlburt Field, Fla., to provide refresher training and proficiency practice for pilots who are actual operators of the Osprey. Hurlburt’s Osprey simulator is one of eight USAF will receive in the next five to seven years. Currently, there are two other CV-22 simulators with the training unit at Kirtland AFB, N.M. (Yes, that’s a ship in the simulator image; AFSOC aircrews get to learn how to operate from carriers.)
The Air Force displayed all the firepower it has amassed on Okinawa in an unusually diverse show of force this week. IIn a May 6 “Elephant Walk,” Kadena Air Base showcased 24 F-35A Lightning II stealth fighters, eight F-15E Strike Eagles; two U.S. Army Patriot anti-missile batteries near the runway; and…