The Air Force reports that an upcoming change to its instruction on wear of the uniform will include the wear of chevrons on the sleeves and circles around the US insignia for enlisted airmen. Air Force leaders eliminated the circle in uniform changes made in 1991. Air Force Chief of Staff, Gen. Michael Moseley, said that past changes “made sense at the time, but had the effect of moving us away from our heritage.” Airmen have complained every year, asking for restoration of the enlisted circle on the US insignia.
The F-35 Joint Program Office has officially announced plans to issue multiple sole-source contracts to Pratt & Whitney to upgrade the fighter’s F135 engine—a widely expected move after Pentagon officials indicated they would do so earlier this year instead of developing an entirely new engine.