The recent stand up of the 434th Fighter Training Squadron at Laughlin AFB, Tex., means the wing is departing from its previous singular mission of turning out novice pilots. Col. David Petersen, 47th Operations Group commander, calls the activation of the new squadron a “great new step in developing a training continuum.” TSgt. Joel Langton reports that the new 34-person squadron expects each year to graduate 80 pilots—qualified to fly the F-15C, the F-15E, the F-16, the A-10 and F-22.
The U.S. military is carrying out intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions along the southern border and off the coast of Mexico using U.S. Air Force RC-135 Rivet Joint and U.S. Navy P-8 Poseidon aircraft as part of the Pentagon’s effort to secure the southern border at the direction of President…