Second Lt. Anthony Wentz, 23, died in November 2021 while attempting a two-jet formation approach with two instructor pilots on a runway at Laughlin Air Force Base, Texas.
“We will be forever proud of Travis and what he accomplished, yet anguished all was lost to a preventable accident,” 2nd Lt. Travis Wilkie's parents said.
The Air Force allowed up to 1,000 recently-retired pilots, combat systems officers and air battle managers to return to active duty. But so far, far fewer have expressed interest in the program.
The Air Force should make greater use of contractors to bolster its pilot training capabilities as it works to fix its festering pilot shortfall once and for all, according to a new report.
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