Air Force Eyeing Major Personnel Cuts: USAF officials are considering slashing the service’s workforce by some 30,000 to 40,000 personnel between 2007 and 2011. Naturally word leaked out. According to Air Force spokeswoman Jean Schaefer, the subject is serious enough to warrant a top-level briefing for reporters next week at the Pentagon. “It’s a pretty fluid situation right now,” Schaefer told us Thursday afternoon, saying that she could not comment on speculation that the personnel would be cut to save funds for weapon systems. She said there would be more clarification at the briefing. Watch this space.
The Air Force is spending heavily on F-22 improvements through the end of the decade, suggesting it may not retire the jet in 2030 as it previously planned. New sensors, fuel tanks, communications, and electronic warfare systems are among the upgrades that comprise the package.