The Air Force has put in play a new program to let airmen request an advance assignment or an in-place 24-month assignment deferment if they have served at least 300 consecutive days in a location authorized for hazardous duty pay. An Air Force Personnel Center release notes that eligible airmen must also have a minimum of 36 months on station. And, it says there are “several other qualifying requirements.” Col. Stanley Perrin, AFPC director of assignments, said, “Desires of airmen will be heavily considered; however, unit manning and the needs of the Air Force is the deciding factor.” (AFPC release)
The Pentagon is requesting funds to buy 85 F-35s in its 2027 budget, 38 of them for the Air Force, a number that analysts say is not enough to reverse service’s fighter shortfall.