The Air Force is going to change the way it deploys airmen under its Air and Space Expeditionary Force construct. Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz recently approved the new system, known as AEF Next, in an effort to improve unit cohesiveness. The new model aims to simplify the existing structure and give leaders more visibility into stressed career fields. Under AEF Next, airmen will deploy alongside their squadron commander as an “airpower team,” said Col. John Long, chief of USAF’s war planning and policy division. “For most airmen, the differences will be minimal,” said Long. He added, “We want to get the commander and immediate supervisors back into the deployment decision process. This will allow commanders to make key deployment decisions about their unit personnel rather than relying on functional managers at the major command or headquarters Air Force level to make those decisions.” Deployment-to-dwell time ratios are expected to stay around 1:2, meaning airmen will deploy for six months and return home for at least a year before they deploy again. The new system is expected to take about two years before it is fully operational. (SAF/PA report by Mitch Gettle)
Earlier this spring, the 388th Fighter Wing proved just 12 Airmen can operate an F-35 contingency location, refueling and rearming the fighters at spots across Georgia and South Carolina. The demonstration, part of exercise Agile Flag 23-1, marks yet another proof of concept for the Air Force’s plan to send…