Aviation News – The Air Force Global Strike Command has launched a pioneering pilot training initiative utilizing light business jets in Abilene, Texas, to expand flight experience for B-1B Lancer aircrews.
The program, designated as the Bomber Supplemental Trainer for Aircrew Readiness (BSTAR), officially commenced during the first week of November 2026. Designed by military leaders, the initiative addresses flight hour constraints by deploying contractor-operated aircraft to help bomber pilots build essential airmanship outside the primary B-1 fleet.
The strategic rollout achieved its first major milestone on November 2, when a Dyess Air Force Base pilot successfully completed the inaugural military training flight. Senior military leadership, including Air Force Global Strike Command commander Gen. S.L. Davis and Eighth Air Force commander Maj. Gen. Ty Neuman, arrived shortly after to evaluate the prototype capability through firsthand observer flights.
The BSTAR initiative leverages contractor-operated light business jets to strengthen foundational airmanship, covering core competencies such as aircraft handling, instrument procedures, and crew resource management. By shifting routine foundational hours to more cost-effective companion aircraft, the command preserves critical bomber flight hours exclusively for mission-specific combat requirements.
Highlighting the operational value of the new program, Col. Robert Sturgill, 7th Bomb Wing and installation commander, emphasized the direct benefit to aviators. “Every additional hour they spend in the air builds experience they bring back to the B-1,” Sturgill noted, adding that the initiative provides crucial flying opportunities without diverting resources from core bomber training.
Throughout the ongoing prototype phase, military officials will track and debrief every training sortie to measure overall effectiveness and aircrew readiness. The resulting data will help leadership determine whether supplemental flight training can scale across broader air combat commands to support long-term pilot development.
