Some of Air Force Reserve Command’s lieutenant colonels and colonels can now retire after spending two years time-in-grade, rather than the customary three years. As part of its force shaping efforts, the Air Force has reduced the time-in-grade requirement from three years to two for no more than two percent of a grade’s authorized end strength each year. That means a maximum of 126 lieutenant colonels and 30 colonels are eligible to retire in 2007.
On Jan. 4, a dozen U.S. Air Force F-22 Raptors departed Puerto Rico, where they had landed following their participation in Operation Absolute Resolve. Those fighters appeared to have flown directly from their home base at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., to participate in the operation and returned there two days…

