More airmen. More deployments. More money — especially for pilots, who continue to leave the force in droves.
A promotions bonanza for captains, changes to enlisted education, and the debut of the brand-new KC-46 tanker. Also on tap: big changes to Tricare, GI Bill benefits and your retirement options, and maybe — just maybe — the return of warrant officers.
Airmen can expect 2018 to bring many critical changes that will impact their lives at home and in uniform.
Here is a preview of what’s in store:
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New in 2018: The fight to grow the force — and save the pilot ranks
The Air Force expects to continue to grow in 2018 as it works to reverse years of downsizing. But massive shortages remain in its crucial pilot career fields — and top Air Force leaders are afraid they’re going to keep growing worse.
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New in 2018: Will the Air Force bring back warrant officers?
After years of resistance, the Air Force might be warming to the concept of warrant officers.
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New in 2018: Officer promotion overhaul on the way
In 2018, the Air Force plans to kick its first major overhaul of officer promotions and evaluations in three decades into high gear.
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New in 2018: For captains, 100 percent promotions are on the way
In December, a wave of promotions to major is going to hit the Air Force – and it could last for three or four years.
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New in 2018: No more 20-month performance reports
This spring, junior airmen will get their first enlisted performance report later than they have in the past.
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New in 2018: Air Force could expand experiment with longer assignments
In early 2018, the Air Force will decide whether to expand an experiment with offering pilots longer assignments to try to retain them.
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New in 2018: US troops return to the front lines in Afghanistan
In what appears to be a bit of deja vu for America’s longest war, U.S. troops will once again be patrolling alongside their Afghan counterparts in far larger numbers and at a more tactical level than the previous years.
By Shawn Snow
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New in 2018: For foreign recruits, the new year brings few answers
The Pentagon will keep vetting grandfathered recruits, but MAVNI still is frozen to new applicants.
By Tara Copp, AP
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New in 2018: 1.6 million troops will choose between old and new retirement systems
Troops will have to decide to stay with the traditional military retirement system or move to the new Blended Retirement System.
By Karen Jowers
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New in 2018: Big Tricare changes are on the way
Is your doctor part of the new Tricare network?
By Karen Jowers
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New in 2018: ‘Forever GI Bill’ changes take effect
Benefits will expand for post-9/11 Purple Heart recipients.
By Natalie Gross
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New in 2018: AMC pushes for aviation-only career track
The head of Air Mobility Command said not being able to fly enough is one of the top complaints from pilots.
By Charlsy Panzino
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New in 2018: New mental health programs seek to ease strain on airmen, families
The Air Force is growing increasingly worried about the pace of deployments and operational tempos, and how it’s straining airmen and their families.
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New in 2018: Air Force continues rolling out changes to enlisted education
The Air Force’s reforms to how it educates its enlisted airmen will continue throughout 2018.
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New in 2018: Services to focus on excess training, education requirements
Each service was directed to provide recommendations on how to streamline training requirements.
By Tara Copp, AP
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New in 2018: Trump’s promised military buildup set to begin in earnest
Defense officials have said plans for more ships, aircraft and ground vehicles will ramp up significantly in the fiscal 2019 budget plans.
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New in 2018: Lawmakers gear up for military pay and benefits fights
The annual pay raise and ongoing military housing reform proposals will once again be a defense budget focus in 2018.
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New in 2018: Air Force will review, tweak policies on reporting crimes
An Air Force review of its databases and crime reporting will continue into 2018, in the aftermath of a deadly church shooting involving a former airman.
By Charlsy Panzino
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New in 2018: Airmen continue to support missions in Europe, Pacific
Missions won't slow down in 2018 as threats emerge in every region of the world.
By Charlsy Panzino
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New in 2018: The fight against ISIS evolves
The Islamic State group’s physical caliphate in Iraq and Syria has been destroyed, but the group is not defeated.
By Shawn Snow
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New in 2018: Conflict hot spots to watch
As the Islamic State withers in Iraq and Syria, other, more obscure hot spots could emerge in 2018 that will require more U.S. assistance or, possibly, even the presence of more U.S. troops.
By Shawn Snow
RELATED
New in 2018: Air Force expecting its first KC-46
The KC-46 Pegasus has hit a few bumps as it nears its delivery deadline, but the Air Force still expects the first of the refueling tankers to arrive by late spring.
By Charlsy Panzino
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New in 2018: Air Force will officially retire MQ-1 Predator drone
The MQ-1 Predator will be officially retired by summer. It will be replaced by the MQ-9 Reaper.
By Charlsy Panzino
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New in 2018: Three aircraft programs to watch
The futures of the Air Force’s JSTARS and light attack aircraft initiatives remain uncertain, but the next-generation trainer is likely to begin production before the end of 2018.
By Kyle Rempfer
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