The 45th Space Wing at Patrick AFB, Fla. is feeling the strain of having more than 15 percent of its airmen deployed to Southwest Asia, reports Norman Moody of Florida Today. And, for some units, like the 45th Security Forces Squadron, the percentage is even higher—much higher, say about half. That leaves much more work for those at Patrick, the focus of Moody’s article, but we expect the situation is much the same around the country. At Patrick, some airmen are taking on responsibilities above their pay grade, and the wing relies heavily on reservists and, in some cases, volunteers from the Red Cross to help out in medical areas. One reservist made it clear he and his cohorts had volunteered. Said Sgt. Dennis McCarthy: “We’re not here because our arms are twisted. We raised our hands and said we’ll help out for a year.”
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…
