Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley, fresh off a trip to Southwest Asia, told attendees Thursday afternoon at AFA’s Orlando symposium that he met a host of airmen that have deployed upwards of five times. When he talked to airmen at various locations and asked who had done five, six, and even seven tours “hands were still going up,” Moseley said. He also noted that USAF has more forces committed to combatant commanders on any given day.
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.