--- title: "Enlisted pilots will fly for the first time since World War II" date: "2018-04-02" modified: "2020-10-21" authors: - name: "Blake Stilwell" job_title: "Editor-In-Chief, Air Force Veteran" link: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/authors/blake/" url: "https://www.wearethemighty.com/articles/enlisted-pilots-will-fly-first-time-since-world-war-ii/" categories: - "Air Force" - "History" - "War History" - "World War II" --- # Enlisted pilots will fly for the first time since World War II ![]() ![]() --- Enlisted pilots have not been in the Air Force since its inception in 1947. They were not paid well, they did not have many opportunities for promotion, and were treated "harshly" in training. Even the title of *the* book about enlisted pilot heritage is called *They Also Flew.* The lack of commissioned officers to handle global aircraft transport and other monotonous work led to [three generations of enlisted pilots](). Non-commissioned officers were usually certified to fly in the civilian world, but not qualified to be commanders. ![]() *Are you the valet? Don't scratch my plane, Sergeant. (Air Force Museum photo)* In the grand military tradition of throwing enlisted bodies at work no officer wants to do, [the Air Force will bring back the tradition of the enlisted pilot to help augment their drone pilot]() numbers. ![]() *And ask any Security Forces troop how well augmentees work out. (U.S. Air Force photo)* After "months of study," the Air Force is working to fix the issues of its drone operations programs. Drones have become the signature tool in the Global War on Terror in recent years, operating in intelligence, counter-terrorism, and surveillance roles. Drone pilots complain they are overworked and stressed out while Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James says [Air Force commanders demand more and more drone operations](). ![]() The RQ-4 Global Hawk (U.S. Air Force photo/Bobbi Zapka) Now enlisted personnel will be allowed to pilot the unarmed RQ-4 Global Hawk spy drone and may eventually be permitted to operate the missile-firing MQ-1 Predator and MQ-9 Reaper drones. The Air Force says the initial step of opening the Global Hawk is because it is easier to operate. ![]() *See the Air Force enlisted corps as Deborah Lee James must see them.* Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh ordered Air Combat Command to [initiate a six-month implementation plan]() for the new pilots. In days gone by, enlisted pilots usually were assigned to fly light reconnaissance and artillery-spotter aircraft, cargo aircraft, and medium- and heavy-weight bombers. In 1942, Congress passed the Flight Officer Act, which replaced flying sergeants with Warrant Officers, which were also discarded by the Air Force. In 1943, all enlisted flyers were promoted to the new "Flight Officer" rank. The enlisted legacy is a long and storied one. Enlisted pilots taught Charles Lindbergh to fly. One of the last members of the enlisted pilot training program was Gen. Chuck Yeager, who would become famous for breaking the sound barrier later in his career. ![]() *Did you hear that, Secretary James? No? Maybe it's because I got here faster than sound. (U.S. Air Force photo)* Drone pilots already complain that they are held in lower regard than traditional fighter pilots and that allowing enlisted airmen in will only increase the stigma. ![]() *Yeah, because who wants to be lumped in with Enlisted Airmen? (pictured: Air Force Cross recipient Zachary Rhyner- U.S. Air Force photo)* ## Author Blake Stilwell is We Are The Mighty's Editor-in-Chief, covering military news, entertainment, and history, along with veteran education, employment and entrepreneurship. He is a former U.S. Air Force combat cameraman with degrees in Graphic Design, Television and Film, International Relations, Public Relations, Business Management and Middle Eastern Affairs. After leaving the military, he began working in film and television production in New York and Los Angeles, work that included ABC News, NBC Olympics, and HBO Sports. He then spent two years in Washington with White House Communications, before joining the Near East Foundation. At NEF he served as an International Development Fellow, then Communications Officer, and finally, Media Officer for the Middle East and Africa. Based in the Palestinian Territory, he coordinated strategic communications between eight country offices, international media, and government and NGO partners. He began a career focused on writing and editing in 2015 with We Are The Mighty. He left in 2019 for Military.com, but returned as Editor-in-Chief in 2025. Blake’s work has been seen on CBS News, Fox News, CBC, The Chicago Tribune, Task & Purpose, Military Times, Recoil, Skillset, American History, and was shockingly even used in a Supreme Court argument. He is an avid traveler and small business owner in Ohio, where he spends most of his energy fixing up a very old house. ### Author social links [Facebook]() [Twitter]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()