It’s official: the Afghan National Army Air Corps is now called the Afghan National Army Air Force. “This is another step forward in response to Afghanistan’s air power growth,” stated officials with the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, the USAF organization involved in training and mentoring the fledgling Afghan air arm, on Monday. They continued, “The ANAAF will play an increasing role in Afghanistan’s defense, and will require independent authority to ensure the best use of scarce national aviation resources.” Afghan President Hamid Karzai issued an order creating the air force. (Kabul report by Capt. Robert Leese)
A provision in the fiscal 2025 defense policy bill will require the Defense Department to include the military occupational specialty of service members who die by suicide in its annual report on suicide deaths, though it remains to be seen how much data the department will actually disclose.