Training 'We Do Feel Kind Of Robbed': COVID-19 Forces The Military To Scale Back Basic Training By Carson Frame • Jan 5, 2021 Carson Frame / American Homefront Health and safety precautions during the pandemic have led the Air Force to eliminate parts of basic training. But some military observers question whether the changes are leaving airmen unprepared for duty. These Air Force Trainees Spend Less Time In the Cockpit, More Time In Flight Simulators By Carson Frame • Aug 7, 2018 Carson Frame / American Homefront Facing a shortage of pilots, the Air Force is experimenting with ways to make training programs faster and less expensive.