USAFE, for some reason, has been dusting off its old competition concepts. The command this month revived the Excalibur fighter competition between US and RAF crews (see above). It had disappeared after the fall of the Berlin Wall and end of the Cold War. “Sure Fire,” another Cold War staple—this one for weapons loaders—just wrapped up Thursday at Spangdahlem AB, Germany. Details to come.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…

