The Air Force expects to exceed its authorized end strength in Fiscal 2011 by approximately 1,500 officers—a trend that could continue into the following fiscal year if officials “do not continue efforts to manage attrition,” Lt. Gen. Darrell Jones, deputy chief of staff for manpower, personnel, and services told House lawmakers last week. USAF already has instituted a host of voluntary and involuntary measures aimed at shaping the force, but officials are working with the Office of the Secretary of Defense to seek additional authorities, he said. “Our force management strategy is not a quick fix, but a tailored, multi-year effect designed to manage the force along a 30-year continuum of service,” Jones told the House Armed Services Committee’s military personnel panel March 17. (Jones prepared testimony) (See also Shedding Some Muscle)
The use of a military counter-drone laser on the southwest border this week—which prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to abruptly close the airspace over El Paso, Texas—will be a “case study” on the complex web of authorities needed to employ such weapons near civilian areas and the consequences of agencies…
