The 42nd Electronic Combat Squadron flew its first sortie last month at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., after its reactivation last year to become the EC-130H Compass Call flying training unit. The unit’s task is to train around 200 aircrew members each year, providing flying training and position upgrade training for 10 different crew positions, reports 2nd Lt. Mary Pekas. The unit had to pry loose some 60 instructors and support personnel from the Compass Call community without hampering the heavily tasked 41st ECS and 43rd ECS.
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,…