Gen. Ronald Keys, chief of Air Combat Command, sees a direct correlation between the Air Force plans to cut some 40,000 people and freeing money to recapitalize his force. Speaking with Washington-based defense reporters earlier this month, Keys argued that it is possible for the Air Force to reduce manpower during a war provided it can retire some 1,000 airplanes. For example, he said, “If I can get rid of 38 B-52s, then I don’t need the people to support them; I don’t need the people to fly them; I don’t need the people to help train, etc., etc., etc.” And, he noted that ACC would save people as it retires F-117 stealth fighters and brings on F-22s that require fewer people to maintain them. However, he admitted that bringing down the requisite number of older airframes “won’t bring down all those people.” Still, he said that 10,000 people—the number to be cut from ACC—equates to “something over a billion dollars.”
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
