According to Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, speaking to airmen during a visit last week at Balad AB, Iraq, the Army really likes having airmen serving as in-lieu-of soldiers because the airmen bring “such innovation and imagination” to the mission. In fact, said Wynne, “we have a hard time convincing our Army colleagues that they shouldn’t have airmen doing [ILO missions].” The Air Force’s top civilian was complimenting airmen for performing well in whatever task given, but Wynne and other USAF leaders have made it clear that continuing to provide ILO support is costing the Air Force time and money. Last year Wynne told lawmakers USAF was pressing the Army to reduce the use of ILO taskings. We bet we’ll hear more on this during upcoming budget hearings, especially since the Air Force plans to continue its drawdown in 2009 toward an end strength of some 316,000 active duty airmen. (Balad report by SSgt. Ruth Curfman)
Former AFCENT Commander Reflects on Lessons of Epic Fury
Sept. 13, 2026
Operation Epic Fury marked the U.S. military's largest air campaign in a generation, with strikes on 13,000 targets in Iran before the first in a series of shaky ceasefires began in April. Now, even as hostilities continue to flare up, Lt. Gen. Derek C. France sees several clear lessons that…
