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 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.