The U.S. Air Force is on track to exceed 1,500 pilot graduates in fiscal 2026 after overhauling undergraduate pilot training through the FUPT model. The system shifts foundational instruction to civilian flight schools while keeping advanced military training at Air Force bases. The milestone strengthens pilot production, but officials say retention, operational absorption and flying-hour funding will remain critical to reducing the broader pilot shortage.
US Military
The US Air Force (USAF) plans to use Exercise Emerald Flag in December 2026 for the first real large-force employment (LFE) of its own Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
The US Air Force is moving to make base defense a core combat function as missiles and drones expose vulnerabilities at American installations.
US military pilots serve in the Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Army, with each branch operating different aircraft and career structures.
The U.S. destroyed five Iranian oil tankers after repeated missile attacks on a Navy warship. Iran retaliated against Jordan as Washington deployed more F-35s and F-16s and expanded sanctions targeting Iran’s aviation network.
The United States is creating Task Force Falcon Strike (TFFS), a multinational force designed to combine one way attack drones operating in the air, on the sea, and below the surface. US Central Command (CENTCOM) is leading the initiative.
The US military has lost at least 45 MQ-9 Reapers during the Iran war, while heavy missile use is placing additional pressure on already strained weapons stocks.
The United States has paused its air campaign against Iran after nearly 2 weeks of consecutive nightly strikes, with a US source describing military operations as being on a hold.
United Airlines (UA) is facing a federal lawsuit after a Hawaii Army National Guard officer alleged the carrier violated his employment and family leave rights following an extended period of military service.
A large influenza outbreak that has killed one Air Force trainee and sickened 284 recruits at Basic Military Training (BMT), according to the congressman who represents the base.