The full House Armed Services Committee supports the markups of its subcommittees on several programs, including the need to keep the C-17 line open, so increased the budget request by $2.4 billion to procure 10 more of the new airlifters. It also would allow USAF to retire C-5As, providing it maintains 299 strategic airlifters, provide for continuation of the alternate F-35 Joint Strike Fighter engine, and limit Joint Cargo Aircraft funding, pending completion of the ongoing intratheater airlift study. On the personnel side, the house authorizers would prohibit a Tricare fee increase for military retirees and boost military pay by 3.5 percent.
Maj. Gen. Jason T. Hinds has been nominated for a third star and to take over as deputy commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, the Pentagon announced May 8. If confirmed, Hinds would serve as the No. 2 behind Gen. James B. Hecker.