The Air Force does plan to hold a reduction in force board in June to identify approximately 600 officers in select year groups—1995, 1996, 2000, and 2001—to involuntary separate from the service by Jan. 29, 2008. Service officials said in January that a RIF was possible if USAF didn’t get enough volunteers. As of March 1, about 2,210 officers had opted to leave the service and take voluntary separation pay—an option that now remains open until March 31.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.