That’s the message delivered by Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force Chief of Staff, Feb. 20 during a town hall meeting with airmen at Lackland AFB, Tex. “I think the fundamental thing is that everybody counts,” Schwartz said. He continued, “No one, no job, no specialty is more important than any other. Everyone matters.” While airmen are a major part of the success of the US military in the wars overseas and “should be proud of that,” Schwartz told the airmen not to measure their worth by their proximity to the fight. The Air Force, he continued, is “a magnificent institution” that offers limitless possibilities for airmen. That said, Schwartz said the Air Force’s evaluation system, for both enlisted and officers, needs revamping. “Not everyone is a five,” he said, adding, “We need to be honest with ourselves and we need to be authentic how we rate each other.” (Lackland report by SSgt. Matthew Bates)
Air Force Changes Rules for Pregnant Aircrew—Again
April 3, 2025
The Air Force is changing its policy for pregnant aircrew, generally reverting to rules set in 2019 that barred female aviators from flying during the first trimester—or from flying in aircraft with ejection seats at all—due to potential risks to the pilot and her unborn fetus.