USAF has made several recent changes to its uniform wear regulations, courtesy of the 97th Air Force Uniform Board, and among them is curtailment of the Air Force Good Conduct Medal. Service officials offered no explanation for axing the medal, which the Air Force has awarded since 1963 to enlisted airmen who show “exemplary conduct during a three-year period of active military service (or for a one-year period of service during a time of war).”
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.