To attack its over-strength junior officer force, the Air Force plans to institute a new annual “force-shaping” board that will “evaluate officers at their three-year point” to determine their potential for continued service, states the Air Force Personnel Center. The first board will meet at AFPC headquarters at Randolph AFB, Tex., on April 3, 2006. The Air Force has some 4,000 officers—primarily from the 2000 to 2004 commissioning years—too many on its rolls for Fiscal 2006. Officials say that officers in these year groups may apply for voluntary separation until March 1, 2006, but, beyond that date, the board will decide who will stay and who will go. Read here for more information.
China thinks it will be able to invade Taiwan by 2027 and has developed a technology edge in many key areas—but it is artificial intelligence that may be the decisive factor should conflict erupt, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said.