The 
Air Force is looking to the virtual world to recruit and train new airmen. Officials in the innovations and integration division at Air University at Maxwell AFB, Ala., have created several prototype virtual learning communities in Second Life—an online world launched in 2003 by San Francisco-based Linden Lab. One is MyBase, a virtual Air Force base. Through an online personality, or avatar, users can learn what it’s like to go through basic training, to become a pilot or chaplain, or to be part of a medical team. The idea is to create an immersive experience where people can experience life in the Air Force. Among the features within MyBase is a training game called “Operation Relief Worker Rescue Challenge” to teach Air Force Academy cadets about leadership by having them interact with others to rescue hostages. (AFPS release by Cheryl Pellerin)
An F-16 pilot was awarded a Silver Star for a harrowing mission in which he dodged multiple surface-to-air missiles during the opening weeks of the operation against the Houthis in Yemen earlier this year.
