Queried by a reporter at the Pentagon yesterday about how the Army can continue its present and projected pace without more free use of reserve forces, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld replied: “There are a variety of things you can do. You can continue to do what we’re doing, moving military people out of civilian posts that civilians can occupy; you can use the Air Force and the Navy to a greater extent than they’ve been used.” Perhaps realizing what he had just said, Rumsfeld quickly added, “They’re leaning very far forward already and have done a terrific job in both Iraq and Afghanistan and in various other backup activities.” Yikes.
The Air Force has finished modifying and testing the new VC-25B Bridge aircraft that will serve as a temporary Air Force One, the service announced May 1. All that’s left now is to finish painting the jet before it starts flying this summer.