In addition to increasing fighter pilot production, the Air Force also intends to “normalize the MC-12”, maintain mobility pilot inventory at sustainable levels, and “scrub” rated requirements based on “inventory realities,” wrote Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz in a Nov. 2 letter to major commands and the Air Staff outlining decisions made at a recent Rated Summit. “Your continued candor and willingness to make the tough calls will help to ensure the viability and sustainability of our rated force as we work to rebalance the rated training pipeline,” wrote Schwartz (See above). “We must move quickly on these decisions in order to synchronize with other major programmatic efforts.” Future summits, which Schwartz said should be conducted on a more regular basis, will look at how force structure changes are impacting the health of the rated force, he wrote. (Schwartz letter)
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
