What I was asking, though, was do the pilots still have to learn it? Considering the limitations we both pointed out, I wonder if it has been removed from ground school and basic pilot instruction.
You always learn the basics. I've not been USAF but you're always taught the "hard" way or "old" way before they teach you the "new" or "easy gizmo" way.
How long you spend on the topic and whether you have to prove proficiency is a different question.
How long you spend on the topic and whether you have to prove proficiency is a different question.