Troops based in Europe are getting a little relief this week with a cost-of-living allowance increase due to the falling value of the dollar against the euro and British pound. US service members will get up to a 25 percent pay increase, from $150 to $200 a month, starting with the second pay period in December, reports Stars and Stripes.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.