Airmen of the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw AFB, S.C., earlier this month participated in an exercise with pilot volunteers of the South Carolina wing of the Civil Air Patrol. This iteration of the frequently occurring Fertile Keynote exercise allowed Shaw’s F-16 pilots who protect the skies of the US Eastern Air Defense Sector against unauthorized air intruders to practice interdicting slow-moving, small general-aviation platforms flown by the CAP pilots in various scenarios, such as a small aircraft not responding to air traffic controllers instructions. “This training is critical for real-world, slow-mover intercept,” said Capt. Joe Palen, 20th FW air sovereignty alert assistant director of operations. Being able to go up against the small aircraft adds realism to the ASA training, he said. (Shaw report by SSgt. John Gordinier)
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.