Return of the Enlisted Pilots

摘要

The need for pilots was so acute as World War Ⅰ and later World War Ⅱ began that enlisted aviators were brought into the service. It was a stopgap measure. Now, 60 years after USAF's last "flying sergeant" retired, the Air Force is again short of pilots and is, again, turning to its enlisted corps to fill the gap. As remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) use has grown almost exponentially over the last 20 years-since USAF began deploying the MQ-1 Predator-the Air Force has struggled to keep up, frequently tapping veteran fighter pilots from a field where there's also a shortage. They have taken up RPA operations for aircraft such as the MQ-1 and MQ-9 Reaper scout and strike aircraft.