A group of airmen recently graduated from the Air Force’s first formal course on remotely piloted aircraft avionic systems maintenance. The class received their diplomas and pinned on their occupational badges during a Nov. 7 ceremony at Sheppard AFB, Tex., according to a Nov. 12 release. Prior to establishing the course, avionic technicians learned the ins and outs of RPA maintenance through on-the-job training, states the release. “UAV’s are the future,” said SSgt. Stan Dunahoo, primary RPA avionics course instructor. “To be one of the pioneers teaching the course is a good experience.” In their role, the technicians are responsible for making sure the aircraft’s electronic systems are functioning properly.
The Air Force awarded a $13.08 billion contract to the Sierra Nevada Corporation on April 26 for its Survivable Airborne Operations Center aircraft, the successor to the service’s E-4B “Doomsday” plane. Like the E-4B, officially called the National Airborne Operations Center, the SAOC will be meant to withstand a nuclear attack and keep…