The first ever master sergeant promotion board worked very well, chief master sergeants said Monday during a panel at ASC15. There was a lot of apprehension going into the board, and “we learned some things along the way,” but overall it was “an overwhelming success,” said CMSgt. Matthew Caruso, command chief master sergeant of Air Force Special Operations Command. CMSgt. Farrell Thomas, command chief master sergeant for the Air Force District of Washington, said he was happy to see someone who was deserving get promoted by the board, because it was unlikely they would have been promoted under the old system. “All the feedback I got was good, even from people who weren’t selected,” Thomas said.
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.