The airmen of the 55th Fighter Squadron from Shaw AFB, S.C., participating in Combat Hammer at Hill AFB, Utah, are experiencing some rare fighter pilot thrills, according to Lt. Col. Tom Littleton. The 55th FS director of operations says the opportunity to drop air-to-ground weapons in this type of combat exercise happens only about twice in a pilot’s career. And, during Hammer, the 55th FS becomes the first USAF operational fighter squadron to train, become certified, and drop a Joint Air-to-Surface Standoff Missile. Shaw has sent some 123 airmen and several F-16s to Hill.
The program executive officers for some of the Air Force’s largest acquisition management organizations are struggling to deal with an exodus of senior talent and experienced civilian staff, three of them told an industry conference.
