The 97th Air Mobility Wing at Altus AFB, Okla., worked an arrangement with nearby Ft. Sill to conduct forward air controller training for Canadian airmen and soldiers, concluding the first-time effort earlier this month, according to a Dec. 15 release. The Canadian force previously trained out of NAS Fort Worth, Tex., but sought the arrangement with Altus and Ft. Sill to cut down on time and resources needed to transit to the training range. Since Ft. Sill is a three-minute flight from Altus, Canadian CF-18s didn’t need the aerial refueling support they had required operating from NAS Fort Worth. According to Lt. Col. Derek Oliver, 97th Mission Support Group commander, “The Canadian visit really showed our ability to adapt to different scenarios.” He added, “We have robust facilities and world-class airmen.” The Canadians plan to return in March. (Altus report by SrA. Clinton Atkins)
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.