Royal Canadian Air Force Col. David Lowthian became the first international student at Air University to receive the Air Force Secretary Leadership Award, according to an RCAF release. Lowthian received the 2012 award last month from Air Force Secretary Michael Donley during a ceremony at Maxwell AFB, Ala., home to AU, states the June 8 release. The award is the Air Force’s most prestigious recognition of a student’s outstanding leadership ability and excellent academic achievement while attending AU. “I am greatly honored to have been recognized for my work,” said Lowthian, who also received the Wright Brothers Award for officership for his year at AU’s Air War College, states the release.
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.