In the current cost-cutting climate, USAF officials are looking closely at changing the standard three-year duty stints for officers to four-year permanent change of station (PCS) assignments. Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, says the action would free up money spent on moves that is sorely needed for other priorities such as recapitalization of ageing aircraft and operations. He also expects longer stays in one job would deepen an officer’s knowledge and experience. The prospective change to PCS policy mostly pertains to officers in the continental United States, but also to those on “permanent” assignments in Europe.
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.