The Air Force has decided to let Maj. Jill Metzger take an 18-month leave, according to the Associated Press news service. Metzger is the airman who said she was kidnapped over a three-day period she was missing in Kyrgyzstan last year. The Air Force Office of Special Investigation hasn’t yet completed its investigation of the case. Metzger returned to work at Moody AFB, Ga., shortly after being redeployed from Kyrgyz. (There’s an update on this that says there wil be no 18-month leave.)
The incoming head of the 7th Air Force will face an intense mission while relying on 4th-generation fighters to stave off looming threats from North Korea and China.