AF Enlisteds Complete Solo Flights

Two Air Force master sergeants completed solo flights in a DA-20 Katana aircraft Nov. 3, becoming the first enlisted airmen to do so during flight training since the Cold War. The two airmen, whom the Air Force would identify only by their first names of Mike and Alex, would fly the RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aerial vehicle once they finish pilot training. The last enlisted pilots to earn aviation certification did so in 1961. Re-introduction of enlisted pilots began Oct. 12, with four enlisteds taking part in instruction among 20 commissioned officers.