Gen. Ronald Keys, chief of Air Combat Command, had a few choice words for terrorists during his visit to AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium last week in Orlando. Noting that USAF aircraft continue to monitor terrorist communications, watch suspected terrorist headquarters, and pound terrorist targets in Iraq, all without much fanfare, Keys said, “If you’re a terrorist, and you want to be the emir of Fallujah, the good news is, I make a new opening [for that job] every three days. The bad news is, it’s already Day One.” He also advised the bad guys of some facts of life: “When you hear a crackle on the phone, that’s me. When you see a contrail in the sky, that’s me. And, that sound you thought you heard—until it’s too late—that’s me.”
The Air Force is requesting about $141 million for initial enlistment bonuses in its fiscal 2026 budget, while Space Force wants $13 million.