Category: Defence

Source: United States Air Force

MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. (AFNS) —  

The face of aviation is changing and it’s beginning to look a lot like high school students.

It’s been five years since the first group of cadets buckled up in cockpits in pursuit of an Air Force-sponsored private pilot certificate through the Air Force Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps Flight Academy program.

Since the summer of 2018, 1,089 AFJROTC cadets have pursued their dream of becoming a pilot, with 861, or 79%, succeeding. A significant achievement considering that outside of the program, the dropout rate for learner pilots is around 80%, according to research by aviation advocacy groups, such as Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association.

Headquarters AFJROTC first started taking Flight Academy scholarship applications in the fall of 2017, with the first aviation classes starting the following summer at six partnering universities. That number has since grown to 24 participating universities in 2023, which includes some of the nation’s leading flight programs like Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University and Purdue University.

The program was initially launched as part of the Air Force Aircrew Crisis Task Force with the stated goals of restoring the luster of aviation to high school students by increasing the pool of pilots for both the military and civilian aviation communities, each facing severe pilot shortages and increase diversity in the cockpit.

The AFJROTC Flight Academy accepted the challenge and the program has grown significantly since the initial class of 120 cadets took to the skies in 2018. The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of the program in 2020.

“All cadets are encouraged to apply for Flight Academy and to consider aviation as a profession,” said Ben Caro, Headquarters AFJROTC Program Development division chief. “It’s fantastic to see the diversity of the cadets interested in the program.”

In 2018, the percentage of underrepresented cadets participating in the Flight Academy was 41%. That number increased each year, with the years 2022 and 2023 each boasting 60% underrepresented groups. Of the 301 AFJROTC cadet participants in 2023, 40% were minorities and 37% female, with 239 receiving their pilot certificate.

“The Flight Academy has generated tremendous interest among our AFJROTC cadet corps with over 9,000 applicants expressing their desire to fly,” said Col. Johnny McGonigal, Headquarters AFJROTC director. “We believe this program meets the Air Force chief of staff’s desire to increase interest in aviation. It also provides an enduring solution for pilot production, while also impacting the diversity challenge facing both the military and civilian aviation communities.”

While the Air Force fully funds the extensive eight-week summer program, there is no requirement for graduates to pursue a military commitment. However, this program has inspired many cadets to take the next step toward becoming a military pilot. Of approximately 591 Flight Academy attendees who have also graduated high school by April 2023, 47% enrolled in the Air Force ROTC program in college to further their goal of becoming an Air Force pilot.

Even for those not pursuing a career in aviation, the academy was a very memorable and valuable experience.

“I highly recommend the flight academy to anyone who is considering it. It was one of the best experiences I have ever had and wouldn’t trade it for anything,” said 2nd Lt. Adam Landry, who completed the Flight Academy program at Delaware State University in 2019. “I made amazing connections and was grateful for the opportunity to learn how to fly. Thanks for the opportunity to attend the academy, I still think back on the memories quite often even though it was four years ago.”

Landry graduated from Syracuse University’s ROTC program in 2023 with a degree in civil engineering.

“Our intent is to help regenerate interest and inspiration in our nation’s youth to pursue careers in aviation and to diversify the industry as a whole,” said Brig. Gen. Houston Cantwell, Jeanne M. Holm Center for Officer Accessions and Citizen Development commander. “With this program, we believe we are changing the face of aviation one cadet at a time.”

For more information about the AFJROTC Flight Academy Program, visit here.

Source: United States Air Force

MIROSLAWIEC, Poland (AFNS) —  

The U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa achieved a significant technological proof of concept for the MQ-9A Reaper’s Satellite Launch and Recovery Package, or SLR-P, at the 12th Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Air Base in Mirosławiec.

While various iterations of the concept have surfaced in different contexts, the SLR-P offers a compact, “wallet-sized” innovation poised to launch and recover the MQ-9A at strategic theater locations situated in some of the most rugged, remote outposts in Europe. This marks a departure from conventional practices that necessitated returning to home stations for basic level maintenance.

“We live in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous world, which means it takes an innovative and motivated group of people – like what you see here – to influence change and propel us into the future,” said Maj. Philip West, USAFE-AFAFRICA project lead. “With this technology, we’re putting the ‘A’ in ‘ACE’ [Agile Combat Employment] for the MQ-9A.”

Tailored specifically for the European and African theaters, the SLR-P consists of a small, mobile container with an inventory list finely tuned to address the unique operational requirements and environmental nuances of each specific region. The container can be retrofitted with its own wheels to be towed or be carried by any means of available transportation and is designed to be highly mobile.

One of the most dramatic impacts of this concept is to reduce the “boots on the ground” needed to operate and maintain precision aircraft. Where traditional remotely piloted operations required teams of 30 to 150 personnel, the SLR-P can execute with a lean crew of just eight multi-capable Airmen.

This lean crew of multiple capable Airmen came from USAFE-AFAFRICA’s 435th Contingency Response Group.

“Empowering multi-capable Airmen is what we do every day,” said Col. Robert Rayner, 435th CRG commander. “The creation of the CRG 25 years ago aimed to extend airpower beyond our main bases. While our primary mission is supporting mobility operations, we’ve adapted our capabilities to respond to what the Air Force, and specifically what USAFE, needs.”

“Today, we’re launching and recovering MQ-9As, but tomorrow it could be F-16s, and the next day, C-17s. Whatever the requirement, the 435th CRG remains light, lean and lethal to support,” he added.

The SLR-P’s integration with satellite technology also ushers in a new era of connectivity and maintenance efficiency. This capability facilitates rapid power-up of the MQ-9A and seamless satellite link establishment, minimizing pre-mission preparations.

By simplifying maintenance functions, the SLR-P allows the maintenance team to focus solely on essential tasks, leading to reduced downtime and heightened mission readiness.

This successful proof of concept not only marks the emergence of a new era in remotely piloted operations, but it also highlights the steadfast dedication of both the U.S. and Poland to shared security goals and technological progress.

“Hosting this first-ever proof of concept underscores Poland’s commitment to protecting not only Polish sovereignty but also fulfilling its obligation as a pivotal member of the NATO alliance,” said Col. Marcin Szubiński, Polish Air Force’s 12th UAV Air Base commander. “We are proud to contribute to testing this capability, building on our five-year history of implementing cutting-edge ISR technologies within EU airspace by prioritizing interoperability with our NATO allies while refining procedures and capabilities as needed.”

This proof of concept notably commenced amidst challenging weather conditions. Under typical circumstances, the mission for the day might have been canceled; however, the weather in Poland proved to be favorable for testing the system’s resilience, prompting the team to make a pivotal choice – executing a weather diversion to this new field or returning the MQ-9A back to its home station.

Airmen stationed with the Pennsylvania Air National Guard undertook a task unprecedented at this airfield, achieving a milestone that holds immense significance. In the process, they officially designated this location as a future alternate launch site, particularly in periods of adverse weather.

Poland now stands as destination for America’s most powerful, capable aircraft, ready to serve as an alternate launch location during times of inclement weather. This development further emphasizes the adaptability and resilience that characterize this transformative proof of concept.

Source: United States Air Force

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-LACKLAND, Texas (AFNS) —  

The 433rd Medical Group returned home after validating its readiness to deploy by participating in Patriot Medic 23. The training, part of a larger exercise called Global Medic, involved more than 7,100 Reserve, active duty and allied forces as well as coalition partners.

Seventy Reserve Airmen from the 433rd MDG spent 19 days undergoing rigorous and realistic training at Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio and Fort McCoy, Wisconsin. On top of validating the Airmen’s readiness to deploy, the annual exercise served to enhance interoperability between units, medics, individual reservists and the joint force.

Patriot Medic 23 provided “Alamo Wing” reservists opportunities to sharpen their skills beyond what can typically be accomplished during monthly unit training activities.

“What I’m grateful for is that I’d never seen our people in the 433rd Aeromedical Staging Squadron come together before, they’d never had too before” said Maj. Reginald Whittington, 433rd ASTS Bravo Flight commander. “I was very impressed with the junior Airmen, the senior leadership … I would go to war with these people … we have people in the unit that I would trust with my life.”

Participation in Patriot Medic led to learning moments for new Airmen and veterans alike. Airmen from the 433rd ASTS embedded with the 914th ASTS, based out of Niagara Falls ARS, New York as part of their training at the exercise.

“It was the first time in my career that we embedded with another unit,” Whittington, who has served for more than 20 years, noted. “We literally came together with another ASTS who has the same challenges, the same successes, the same, or different, solutions to certain things, and we were able to maximize what works best.”

For several of the “Alamo Wing” reservists, this was only their first or second exercise with the unit.

“When I went in there, honestly I didn’t know what to expect,” said Senior Airman Luis Martinez, a 433rd ASTS medic. “My job here is as a medic so that’s my mentality, I’m going to go be a medic … but it turned out to be a lot more than that. I learned new roles and responsibilities. I learned how to be a leader and I learned also how to be a follower.”

The exercise not only tested the Reserve Airmen’s knowledge of their jobs and their physical capabilities, but also their mental resiliency. Many of the lessons were learned the hard way.

“We failed a lot, which was a good thing because you need to feel that pain and then you come up with better solutions next time,” said Senior Airman Lindsey Neubauer, 433rd ASTS medic.

Both Neubauer and Martinez received challenge coins for their performance at the exercise, a traditional way for military leaders to recognize the efforts of their troops.

Patriot Medic also allowed 433rd MDG senior leaders to evaluate and mentor their Airmen, while strengthening the bonds between the members of their teams.

“I’ve been in for 16 years … this is probably one of the most realistic ones,” Master Sgt. Julie Fuleky, 433rd Medical Squadron Bravo flight chief, pointed out. “As we went through it, you started to see the team come together … it was a very valuable exercise because, where we normally only see each other two days a month, we were working closely together for 19 days.”

Col. Michelle Van Sickle, 433rd MDG commander, served as the joint task force surgeon at Fort McCoy during the exercise. She observed after the exercise that many of the newer medics were able to fully understand their mission and the importance of training prior to deployment, while more seasoned medics expanded their knowledge about operating in a contested environment.

“They all came together to accomplish the mission, and all performed at, or above, the standard we expected,” Van Sickle said. “I am proud of them.”