Air Force Offers Retention Bonus to Drone Pilots

For the first time, the U.S. Air Force next year will offer a critical skills retention bonus to airmen who fly remotely piloted aircraft such as the Predator drones that have become a signature weapon of war over the past decade. The service announced that pilots who agree to remain in service for five more years will be eligible for a Critical Skills Retention Bonus of up to $125,000. Other RPA pilots, meanwhile, will continue to be eligible for Aviator Retention Pay that could give them from $75,000 to $225,000, depending on how many additional years of service they commit to. For more details, see this Military.com article.