USAF air controllers participating in Exercise Immediate Response in Bulgaria have not found it hard to communicate with their Bulgarian counterparts. In fact, TSgt. Richard Walker says, “I just stand back and observe the operations. If needed, I will help the controller talk to the [F-15E] pilot or assist if a procedure needs to be tweaked.” Walker, who is chief controller for the 48th Operations Support Squadron from RAF Lakenheath, England, gave the Bulgarian controllers—who generally are pilots or former pilots—a short lesson on F-15E operations before the exercise began.
The Air Force plans to have its new Integrated Capabilities Command stood up by the end of 2024, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said May 2, offering new details of one of the signature reforms announced by the service earlier this year. Allvin said around 500-800 Airmen will…