Carrying through with its plan to root out military capabilities duplication, the House Armed Services Committee has formed a panel to investigate the state of roles and missions. In a joint statement, Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), committee chairman, and Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.) announced the bipartisan membership for the new Roles and Missions Panel. Congressman Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) will lead the effort, joined by ranking member Rep. Phil Gingrey (R-Ga.). The House Armed Services Committee proposed in its version of the 2008 defense authorization bill that DOD conduct a mission scrub every four years. Skelton says, “Ensuring that the military services are working on the appropriate roles and missions is key to our national security, and Congress has an important role to play in this effort.”
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.