CMSAF James Roy said developing senior leaders in the 2W2 nuclear weapons career field is a “critical” step to strengthening the Air Force’s nuclear enterprise. As a result, the service has made this career track the focus of its first-ever enlisted development team, a newly implemented program designed to help guide the careers of senior enlisted airmen in the same manner that traditional development teams that have focused on officers and civilians. “We felt it was appropriate to start with the 2W2s to handle the unique challenges associated with the nuclear enterprise,” said Roy during a panel discussion on this topic at Barksdale AFB, La., at the end of March. The team will look at senior NCOs’ training, education, and experience to see if they are qualified to fill critical nuclear positions. (Barksdale report by Crystal Jordan)
A KC-46 touched down at McConnell Air Force Base, Kan., on July 1 after a record 45-hour nonstop flight around the world. The mission, called Project Magellan, saw the two crews aboard test their limits as they refueled Air Force jets around the planet.