The Air Force announced the authorization of a new critical skills retention bonus (CSRB) program for certain remotely piloted aircraft pilots, in according to a release. Eligible pilots whose undergraduate RPA or flying training commitments are scheduled to end in fiscal years 2016 or 2017 can apply for an annual bonus of $35,000, or a total of $175,000, with a new five-year service commitment. Those already on a bonus program can apply for the new CSRB with a one-year service commitment. The program is retroactive to the beginning of 2016, and applications will be accepted until Jan. 31, 2017, according to the release. RPA pilots in the 18X, 11U, 11X, 12U, and 13U career fields are eligible for the program, which is part of a “get well” plan for reforming the RPA career field announced by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James in April.
The 301st Fighter Wing in Fort Worth, Texas, became the first standalone Reserve unit in the Air Force to get its own F-35s, welcoming the first fighter Nov. 5.