The number of Active Duty airmen currently in service has exceeded the Air Force’s goal for Fiscal 2017, thanks to an increased effort on recruitment and retention. There are about 317,800 airmen in uniform, up from 309,000 a year ago—that’s 800 more than its stated goal of 317,000, said Lt. Gen. Gina Grosso, the service’s deputy chief of staff for manpower. Speaking at an AFA-sponsored, Air Force event Wednesday in Arlington, Va., Grosso said many inside the Defense Department, and in the Air Force itself, didn’t think it could grow its ranks that quickly. But fast work inside Air Education and Training Command enabled the service to exceed its goals, Grosso said. Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James has placed a high focus on building the ranks, which she said dropped too low because of budget constraints. James told reporters earlier this year she was considering enacting a little-known law that enabled her to bolster the service’s end strength by up to two percent—or as many as 6,340 airmen—above congressional mandates.
Competitors Not Picked for CCA Look Forward to Increment 2
April 25, 2024
While none of the major aircraft contractors were selected to develop the Collaborative Combat Aircraft, all three say they are seeking further autonomous aircraft work for the Navy, foreign partners, or in the classified arena, and maybe future versions of the CCA itself.