Story highlights U.S. Air Force faces a shortfall of almost 1,000 drone and jet fighter pilots

Air force boosting retention pay bonuses to keep pilots who are sought by airlines and defense contractors

Washington (CNN) A top Air Force general warned Wednesday that the U.S. faces a shortage of hundreds of fighter pilots and drone operators.

In Capitol Hill testimony, Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle said that the Air Force needed 511 fighter jet pilots and approximately 200 more drone pilots in order to adequately carry out current missions.

Citing an "insatiable demand" among combatant commanders for drones that can provide intelligence and surveillance, Carlisle said that drone operators were facing long hours and that in order to alleviate this issue the Air Force is seeking close to 300 additional drone pilots, making the true shortfall closer to 500.

Testifying before a subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, Carlisle said the "remote piloted aircraft enterprise is one that's in high demand, we are in high demand for fighters as well, we don't have enough of either."

Carlisle, commander of Air Combat Command, called the drones "One of the most valuable battlefield assets" and said that drone operations had increased fivefold since 2006, with 8,000 airmen supporting these flights.

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