The Air Force is dropping numerous Air Force Specialty Codes from its list of selective reenlistment bonuses, effective Dec. 5, announced the Air Force Personnel Center. Among the 45 codes the service is eliminating are: air traffic control, aircraft structural maintenance, health and medical technicians, in-flight refueling, remotely piloted aircraft sensor operator, and special investigations, according to the center’s Nov. 26 release. The eligibility changes are posturing the Air Force for a smaller force as it adjusts to budget sequestration, said Brig. Gen. Gina Grosso, director of force management policy. “As the force gets smaller, skills that were undermanned are no longer short and we are adjusting the bonus program, accordingly,” she said. Some AFSCs, for which there remain high operational demands and low manning, will still be eligible for SRBs. Among them are: airborne cryptologic language analyst, combat control, cyberspace defense operations, explosive ordnance disposal, and pararescue, according to the release. (Randolph report by Debbie Gildea)
Seven F-22 Raptor pilots have recently been awarded one of the military’s highest decorations for their actions during operations in the Middle East. Six of the pilots were decorated with the Distinguished Flying Cross for their role in Operation Midnight Hammer, the June 2025 strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.