AAD didn't cause this. I agree, the push from leadership wrt PME/AAD causes a distraction from proficiency in a jet esp w/ young guys, but that was not a factor in this situation. That's a tough argument to win - "landed at the wrong airport bc they put the focus on PME/AAD and forgot how to identify an airfield". I'm not saying that was/wasn't their focus, but they landed at the wrong airport. If these guys focused on their masters/container checking too much that they were proficient enough to identify the correct airfield, then it's on them. I'm not going to make the choice of rank progression before knowing how to fly a jet.
The bigger question is how/why this happened w/ a qualified crew in the AF...ie where was the break in the chain (DO signing orders/visual to field w/ no backup guidance, and looking at a strip 1/3 the size it should be). We can all sit there and throw blame at the upper leadership for the misguidance of what is important as a pilot. It doesn't take Gen Welsh to change that mindset...Most dont sign up to be a pilot in the AF to make Major as a LT. It takes a handful of guys (Capts/Majs) to be the experience in a sq and set that tone. if you're "looking around the sq for the experience"...fvck that, study your ass off and be the experience.