US military members will get an average 3.5 percent increase in their basic allowance for housing pay, reports American Forces Information Service. The increase, which starts Jan. 1, will provide, on average, $44 more per month for servicemembers with families. The pay increase works out to $300 million more in 2007 than was paid in 2006.
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.