The congressionally mandated commission examining the Air Force’s force structure on July 16 visited airmen at JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., the first of 13 locations on which it plans to call through the end of September as part of its fact-finding activities, according to an Air Force headquarters release. During its visit to each location, the eight-member panel will tour facilities, hear mission briefings, and meet airmen at the wing, group, and squadron levels, states the release. The commission will also hold off-base hearings at each location with state and local community leaders and members of the general public. Next up is Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio, and Springfield ANGB, Ohio (July 29); followed by Mansfield ANGB, Ohio, and Rickenbacker ANGB, Ohio (July 30); JB Langley-Eustis, Va. (Aug. 5); Barksdale AFB, La. (Aug. 13); Tinker AFB, Okla. (Aug. 20); Pease ANGB, N.H., and Westover AFB, Mass. (Sept. 5); Burlington ANGB, Vt. (Sept. 6); Camp Smith/Hickam Field, Hawaii (Sept. 22-23); and Beale AFB, Calif. (Sept. 25). Established in the Fiscal 2013 defense policy act, the commission came together at the end of April. It has already held several public hearings in the Washington, D.C., area. (Washington, D.C., report by Col. Bob Thompson)
Unit commanders are being told to separate service members who can’t shave their cheeks and chin for medical reasons for more than a year, according to new guidance from Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.
