The Culture Friendly Air Commandos: Airmen from the 6th Special Operations Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla., are culturally and linguistically trained to fit right in to Niger in Africa when they deployed there recently to work with the Nigerian air force. The 6th SOS members are experts in aviation advisory operations around the world, and instruct on numerous aircraft in several languages. The commandos helped train the fledgling Nigerian air force on maintaining and flying their C-130 Hercules and a Russian-build Mi-17 multi-role helicopter. After a visit to Niger to view the mission’s progress, Gen. Robert Foglesong, commander of US Air Forces in Europe, said that he wished he could have a unit like the 6th SOS “in every country, every day of the week.”
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.