The Air Force has doubled the number of RPA pilots it trains—from 192 to 384—in the past year, said Lt. Gen. Darryl Roberson Wednesday at ASC16. This increase has required a “monumental effort” from Air Education and Training Command, Roberson said, and is “critically important to helping establish the foundation for the RPA community in our United States Air Force.” The first class of four enlisted airmen will begin RPA training next month. They will train with the “exact same program” currently used to train RPA pilots with a near-term goal of including “folks who are completely unfamiliar with the flying world.” After the first 12 enlisted airmen complete the program, AETC will conduct a review to “evaluate if there are any changes we need to make” before opening the field up to the rest of the enlisted force.
For years, sustainment challenges and spare parts shortages have hindered the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter’s readiness. But the Air Force’s experience flying F-35s heavily in operations against Iran have showed what the jet can be capable of, if maintainers get all the supplies and support they need.
