The Air Force definitely is not cutting enlisted aviator career fields—at least not in the near future—because the service says it’s short. USAF officials are encouraging airmen who may be in vulnerable career fields to cross train as boom operators, flight engineers, loadmasters, airborne mission systems, airborne battle management, flight attendants, aerial gunners, and airborne cryptology linguists. It needs to fill these jobs now.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.