Not Even a Handshake?: The Air Force has been steadily revamping its personnel operations to trim the number of personnelists needed at each base and to eliminate the need for an airman to stand in line at the local personnel office. The service wants a virtual 24/7 capability. Officials say the most recent changes of several to be implemented through December 2007 make it possible for airmen to correct duty-history mistakes and—get this—apply for retirement online. If an individual’s retirement application flies, the Air Force would send the airman a final DD Form 214 in the mail—goodbye.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach told lawmakers Apr. 30 that the service’s biggest airlifter, the C-5 Galaxy, has a 37 percent mission capable rate—one of several challenges facing the mobility fleet.