To correct the existing and deepening fighter pilot shortage, Air Education and Training Command is taking two F-16 squadrons freed up by the arrival of F-35s at Hill AFB, Utah, to train more pilots, Brig. Gen. Andrew Croft, AETC director of plans, programs, requirements, and assessments told reporters at ASC16. The boost in production of 15-20 percent will result in annual production of 1,325 fighter pilots, Croft said. The change is happening “right away” but will take time to pay off, Croft said. “We have to absorb more in the existing pipeline,”Croft said. AETC chief Gen. Darryl Roberson said AETC is looking across the board to “maximize production with existing facilities.”
All 12 American bombers deployed in Britain rapidly returned to the U.S. on Oct. 4 following security concerns about a potential Iranian threat to their base in the U.K.