Since they deployed to Afghanistan in February, some 70 airmen from Air Force Reserve Command’s 943rd Rescue Group at Davis-Monthan AFB, Ariz., saved 185 people, assisted 120 others, and performed 124 escort missions. On Aug. 25, another batch of about 70 rescue airmen, these from the 920th Rescue Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla., replaced the 943rd RQG force to continue covering operations in Afghanistan. (920th RQW report by Capt. Cathleen Snow)
The Chinese air force is accelerating some of its fighter pilot training but likely won't fully modernize until 2030. Tradition and the tempo of graduating aviation academy classes constrains pilot production.