Pilots of the 18th Fighter Squadron at Eielson AFB, Alaska, are learning their new trade—serving as antagonists for “blue” forces in Red Flag-Alaska—from the veteran “Red” pilots of the 64th Aggressor Squadron. Members of the 64th from Nellis AFB, Nev., are in Alaska again to help with the 18th’s transition from fighter squadron to aggressor squadron, slated for August. First Lt. David Tomiyama reports that the Alaskan airmen also have trained at Nellis, going through intensive academics and upgrade sorties to learn their “enemy” aircraft.
Trainees in Basic Military Training and technical school no longer have the option to try alternate PT drills if they fail an initial assessment, according to a policy change the Air Force made in April. The move is part of a larger shift out of the classroom and into hands-on,…