Air Force Personnel Center officials believe Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will formally approve within a few weeks the new physical fitness instruction senior service leaders unveiled in June. According to an Aug. 21 release, the new rules take effect Jan. 1, 2010, and AFPC officials recommend that airmen not wait for that date before embracing the new regimen. CMSgt. Mark Long, USAF’s enlisted promotions, evaluations, and physical fitness chief, said that the new rules would “bring about not only increased fitness, but greater clarity and understanding for both commanders and airmen.” (AFPC report by Daniel Elkins)
A-10 Thunderbolt II attack planes in the Middle East are flying with fresh modifications as the Air Force looks to make the plane more versatile amid America’s ongoing blockade of Iranian ports and a tenuous ceasefire in the U.S. air war against Iran.