Longtime observers of Air Force leaders have grown accustomed to hearing that the service’s capabilities include the ability to strike targets anywhere on the globe. However, there was a subtle change in that regard in the remarks made Tuesday by Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. Schwartz said the Air Force can “hold at risk practically any target on the face of the earth.” (Please note: use of italics is our emphasis). It’s unlikely this was a slip of the tongue as Schwartz proceeded to repeat the comment, seemingly to stress the point. Schwartz also qualified a classic Air Force boast that it will control the air no matter what. “Airmen provide control of the air over our homeland, and wherever friendly forces operate,” he said, adding that, “they ensure freedom of action in all domains by minimizing the threat of attack from above.”
When acting Air Force Secretary Gary A. Ashworth rescinded service-wide “Family Days” last week citing the need to build readiness, he left it up to commanders, directors, and supervisors to decide if they would still permit extra days off. Here’s how Air Force major commands are taking that guidance.