The 6th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis AFB, Nev., has opened a state-of-the-art facility to train joint terminal attack controllers. Simulating combat scenarios in real-time, the facility provides JTAC trainees the opportunity to practice skills in a realistic environment, without the danger of live-fire exercises and actual combat. The new facility is a “great tool to make sure our airmen demonstrate an ability to operate live aircraft before they actually do it,” said TSgt. James Spreter, a 6th CTS training instructor. The simulator prepares trainees “before they go in the field and have to deal with fatigue and weather,” he said. This instills “proper utilization” beforehand, so that in combat “no matter what happens, they will instinctively react,” he added. (Nellis report by SrA. Michael Charles)
House and Senate lawmakers say they’re hopeful Congress will pass a defense appropriations bill in the coming weeks to avoid a repeat of last fall’s government shutdown, with only having a handful of working days remaining before the Jan. 30 deadline. Yet legislations still have to release a compromise version of defense spending legislation, which will have to…
