The “Enemy” Comes to Virtual Training: In a first of its kind event, the Air Force linked “enemy” MiG-29s into its network of simulators “flying” in Virtual Flag 2006. The New Mexico Air National Guard supplied the “enemy” pilots. The Distributed Mission Operations Center at Kirtland AFB, N.M., linked simulators around the country into a cyber battlespace for aircrews, and space and ground operators. Officials say about 75 percent of the Virtual Flag participants worked from their home stations. (Read our article “Distributed Mission Operations” here.)
Amid NATO’s continued push to ramp up air defenses in Eastern Europe, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall swung by seven allied countries to boost relations last week, including those on Russia’s and Ukraine’s doorstep.