The Air Force’s top personnel officer told lawmakers Thursday that although the service plans to “reassess” where it ends up in terms of end strength, “we’re not asking for a change in the cycle.” Appearing before the House Armed Services military personnel panel, Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, explained that the 2008 budget proposal includes personnel cuts that will take the service to 316,000 active duty airmen. “We’re on the path to 316,” said Brady, adding that this summer service leaders will be “looking at where we go in ’09.”
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
