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)
House lawmakers unveiled a new reconciliation package July 15 with $60 billion for defense, $290 billion less than the Pentagon has been seeking, a day after a Senate vote to advance the annual defense policy bill failed—developments that show the perilous state of the Pentagon’s ambitious plans for fiscal 2027.