The Air Force says that it needs “hundreds” of airmen in almost every major career field to volunteer to serve longer tours in Southwest Asia, filling joint task force positions. It was in February of this year, that USAF officials announced they had designated some JTF positions for longer tours to “provide stability and allow for long-term relationship building with host governments.” (Read more in “The Expeditionary Force Under Stress.”) As with the initial call, USAF says it wants volunteers—officer and enlisted—but will resort to non-volunteers if necessary.
The Air Force has finished resurrecting a B-1B Lancer, completing a yearslong process to transform a bomber that had been stored for parts in the Arizona desert into the new flagship of the 7th Bomb Wing at Dyess Air Force Base, Texas.