Wow, LASIK is approved now? I got PRK a little over a decade ago when my vision started to slide (was already a pilot) but back then I was only given the option of PRK and I don't recall LASIK even being authorized because those flaps on the corneas could open up while flying. I guess I was born a decade or two too soon because I sure would have rather had instant LASIK than suffer through a week post-op of not being able to see anything.

When I started C130 initial qual in the mid-80s, my IP told me to always look back at the navigator, to make sure he was wearing glasses. “Because he needs them?” I asked. “No.” he said. “If he’s not wearing glasses, you don’t know WHAT is wrong with him.”

Which is undoubtedly why WSOs always kept it in ‘aft initiate’ no matter what was briefed, since front seaters didn’t have obvious tells like that and you couldn’t see their faces much anyway...

When PACER CRAG eliminated the KC-135 navs, many of them were offered pilot slots. Timing is everything.

They'll most likely end up being drone pilots.

^This. They'll get re-classed to 18X or whatever the RPA-only AFSC is nowadays and the rated guys will head back to their manned airframes...or a staff gig.

While you may end up being right, that is NOT what the 8th AF commander said in the article.

Oh I know. But I'm sure as you know, what a General officer says and what big blue actually does is seldom the same thing.