The Air Force would like to get out of the ILO business, particularly when it means employing an airman outside his field (see above). Air Force Chief of Staff Michael Moseley made this point earlier this year, and Brig. Gen. Hoot Gibson, director of operations and training at the Air Staff, explained last week to members of the House Armed Services readiness panel that as “the ground component grows,” the Air Force has a 12-month plan “to get out of those duties and tasks that are not within our core competencies.” When challenged about what would happen if the plan doesn’t bear fruit, Gibson commented, “I am not sure I am prepared to speculate.” He went on to say, though, that the service is “very concerned” lest the ILO taskings become a negative factor in retention.
The Pentagon has concluded a new agreement to buy laser-guidance kits that turn rockets into drone-killing weapons. BAE Systems and the Defense Department announced a framework deal of up to seven years for 25,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System guidance kits annually for the U.S. military.