The National Security Personnel System isn’t going to save DOD money, but it will help better control personnel funds, said Gordon England, deputy secretary of defense. Speaking at a Senate hearing Wednesday, England said the Pentagon will be better able to track personnel dollars with the new system because “we approve the money, we approve bonuses.” In fact, it is not a goal of the NSPS to spend less than before on compensation, but now there is a “defined pot of money for raises and pay-for-performance,” England continued. When probed by Sen. George Voinovich (R-Ohio) about a possible cost increase, England said NSPS would not be more expensive than the existing pay system. “NSPS is a must, it’s an investment, we will allocate money appropriately,” England remarked.
A half-dozen pilots from one of the Air Force’s premier F-16 units, the 20th Fighter Wing at Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., have been awarded one of the service’s highest decorations for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.