Sen. Ted Stevens of Alaska offered “a little history” about a Nixon-era Presidential order that mandates there will always be a three-star Air Force general in the state of Alaska, and then challenged the Air Force leadership on their plans to eliminate various lieutenant general slots under guise of a command restructure. Speaking specifically about one in Alaska and one in Hawaii, Stevens asserted, “If that happens, you’re going to have war.” The Air Force does plan to cut about 30 general officer slots, but Chief of Staff Moseley assured the senior Senator that “There’s no intent in this to take down 11th Air Force or the lieutenant general in Alaska.” Whoooeee.
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.