The Air Force will be “potentially, $20 billion shy of what we need in this Air Force budget each year across the [future years defense program],” Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley said Wednesday at AFA’s Air & Space Conference in Washington. The shortage stems from a range of “unexpected demands on resources,” such as “rising fuel prices, rising defense healthcare costs, rising inflation rates or exchange rates, … aircraft retirement restrictions, and the staggering rise in the cost of ownership of these aging aircraft,” explained Moseley. The Air Force has cut its force by 42 percent since 1992 and will reduce its fleet by up to 20 percent in the coming years. Moseley said it will be tough to buy everything needed to meet the service’s obligations and cope with the “unforeseen” costs.
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.