Air Force contemplating hiring private contractors as aggressor pilots

Driven by a shortage of fighter pilots available to fly combat missions, the Air Force is actively discussing a proposal to hire contractors flying private jets to serve as aggressors in training exercises.

Secretary Deborah Lee James told reporters this week that depending "how the dollars and cents work out," the service may contract out for the aggressor role, which supports exercises like Red Flag by simulating enemy actions.

The service currently relies on its own T-38 trainer aircraft to serve as aggressors.