The Air Force has cut back on “non-mission critical” temporary duty assignments as part of its sequestration mitigation efforts. That could mean delays to professional military education courses, such as the NCO Academy and mission-readiness training, said Air Force Secretary Michael Donley during AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 22. “The TDY that supports all that work could delay the promotions of airmen that rely on that training and it could lead to loss of certifications for airmen in technical specialties such as firefighting and [explosive ordnance disposal] specialists,” said Donley during his symposium address.
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
