Airmen with Air Force Reserve Command’s 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., hosted 10 members of the Uruguayan armed forces, providing them hands-on training in water rescue. The Uruguayans included pilots, a loadmaster, and jumpers—the equivalent of USAF pararescuemen. They flew with the wing’s HC-130s for extended-range jump training over the Banana River, just outside of Patrick, during their five-day visit, which concluded Sept. 2. This stay was part of an ongoing exchange program between Uruguay and US Southern Command. Airmen from the wing will travel to Uruguay next year to continue the training. (Patrick report by Capt. Cathleen Snow)
The Air Force is seeking funding to let its pilots fly a little more than 1.1 million hours in fiscal 2027, which would be the most in about four years. But even if Airmen actually do fly all 1.1 million hours, it would still be short of the 1.3 million…