The US and Israel on Wednesday signed the largest bilateral pledge for American military aid in US history, increasing aid to allow Israel greater flexibility for purchasing new hardware. The pledge, which goes into effect in Fiscal 2019, totals $38 billion at a rate of $3.8 billion per year. The current memorandum of understanding is for $3.1 billion per year. The agreement includes $500 million for missile defense funding. The increase will give Israel more money to upgrade its military infrastructure and aircraft fleet. Israel already has signed on for 33 F-35As with the first scheduled to be delivered in June.
The Air Force will promote 11.07 percent of eligible master sergeants to senior master sergeant this year, a decline from last cycle that snaps a four-year streak of increases. Out of a pool of 13,315 eligible individuals, 1,474 new E-8s were selected.