Trump signs order that allows retired pilots to be RECALLED as World War 3 tensions soar

Kim Jong-un and Donald TrumpGETTY

The new order amends an emergency declaration put forward by former president George W Bush

The Pentagon has described the signing of the order as a move to combat the US’ “acute shortage of pilots”.

A spokesperson from the military institute stated the Air Force is currently “short approximately 1,500 pilots of its requirement”. 

They added: “We anticipate that the Secretary of Defence will delegate the authority to the Secretary of the Air Force to recall up to 1,000 retired pilots for up to 3 years.

They also told Fox News: “The pilot supply shortage is a national level challenge that could have adverse effects on all aspects of both the government and commercial aviation sectors for years to come.”

The new order amends an emergency declaration put forward by former president George W Bush after the terror attacks that saw the destruction of the World Trade Centre. 

Prior to the order being amended by Trump, the Air Force was only able to recall 25 pilots.

Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson added the US currently holds no plans to put the order into action.

She stated: “The Air Force does not currently intend to recall retired pilots to address the pilot shortage.

“We appreciate the authorities and flexibility delegated to us.”

Miss Wilson also announced the military service was increasing incentive pay to officers and enlisted crew members.

The decision to amend the order to recall retired pilots comes as the country edges closer to war with North Korea with the US confirming it is preparing to place nuclear bombers on 24-hour alert for the first time since the Cold War in response to threats of annihilation from Kim Jong-un.

US Air Force chief of staff General David Goldfein confirmed the plan amid concern North Korea’s nuclear warpath could ignite World War 3.

It comes after Donald Trump met with his top military chiefs, claiming their talks were “the calm before the storm”.

Speaking with Defense One, General Goldfein said: “This is yet one more step in ensuring that we’re prepared.

“I look at it more as not planning for any specific event, but more for the reality of the global situation we find ourselves in and how we ensure we’re prepared going forward.”

Donald Trump recently confirmed the US is “totally prepared” to respond to North Korea’s military escalations. 

The Republican warned the hermit kingdom that it is “shocking” how “totally prepared” America is for World War 3.

US jetsGETTY

The Air Force was only previously able to recall 25 pilots

He declared: “We’ll see what happens. We are so prepared, like you wouldn’t believe.

“You would be shocked to see how totally prepared we are if we need to be.

“Would it be nice not to do that? The answer is yes.

Donald TrumpGETTY

Donald Trump recently confirmed the US is “totally prepared” to respond to North Korea

“Will that happen? Who knows, who knows.”

The threatening remarks from the President come after the rogue nation recently threatened the US with an “unimaginable” strike after the country has persisted in conducting military drills on the Korean peninsula. 

Kim Jong-un’s puppet news agency said: “The US is running amok by introducing under our nose the targets we have set as primary ones. 

“The US should expect that it would face unimaginable strike at an unimaginable time.”

The drills will continue this week where “a wider range of management events” are set to take place, according to the US military.

Events will involve South Korean American’s being evacuated from the country in the event nuclear war breaks out.