JCS Chairman Gen. Peter Pace told defense reporters in Washington yesterday he thinks finding a way to settle inequities between the services is “worth taking a look at.” Pace said the Air Force and the Navy have been “extremely forthcoming” in finding service members to ease some of the pressure on ground forces in the war on terrorism. However, he wants to make sure the right people are in the right jobs. As for control of unmanned aerial vehicle operations (see above), “If that’s a place where the Air Force could free up Army troops to do other things, it’s worth the discussion.”
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.