Although Gen. Norton Schwartz, USAF Chief of Staff, acknowledged Wednesday during an Institute for Foreign Policy Analysis-Fletcher School conference in Washington, D.C., that the planned slowdown in F-35 strike fighter production (see above, The “Less Ambitious” F-35 Program) would leave the Air Force with “less margin” for its aging fighter force, he said the service still plans to cut a number of legacy fighters this year. That is, if it can get Congress on board. The Air Force announced its plan last spring to retire early about 250 F-15s, F-16s, and A-10s from active and reserve units. Since then, lawmakers have asked for more details, and finally included language in the 2010 defense appropriations bill that would temporarily delay such retirements pending a report by USAF.
Pentagon Releases Cost of Living, BAH Rates for 2026
Dec. 30, 2025
The Pentagon will pay cost of living allowances to 127,000 service members in the continental U.S. in 2026, an increase of 66,000 members in 2025. Airmen and Guardians across the U.S. will also receive an average increase of 4.2 percent for their Basic Housing Allowance, compared to the 5.4 percent…
