Air Force Gen. Lance Smith, head of US Joint Forces Command, told defense reporters in Washington yesterday that commanders, including Air Combat Command chief Gen. Ronald Keys, “understand” that airmen and sailors are needed to fill “skill shortages,” i.e. to serve in-lieu-of soldiers in the war on terror. (Keys has stated that the ILO effort is costing him money he doesn’t have.) Smith said, “In areas where they can contribute, they will likely be asked to continue to contribute,” despite news reports to the contrary. In fact, the Air Force personnel chief, Lt. Gen. Roger Brady, believes the call for ILO airmen could go up.
President Donald Trump signed legislation reopening the federal government late Nov. 12, ending the longest shutdown in U.S. history. The move sets the stage for tens of thousands of defense civilians to return to work and guarantees troops will be paid in a few days’ time.
