USAF officials announce the service has created a new enlisted aviator field-1A9X1 Special Missions Aircraft-that will encompass aerial gunners and flight engineers who serve aboard the HH-60G Pave Hawk and CV-22 Osprey and loadmasters who serve on AC-130 gunships and special operations non-standard aircraft.
A record investment in research and development by the Department of the Air Force will help the United States win the long-term technology race with China, even while shrinking the fleet size before a possible mid-decade Taiwan contingency, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said May 17. “With the Air Force,…