This week's photos feature Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force. View the slideshow.
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The Air Force will implement the enlisted date of separation rollback program this fiscal year, in addition to several voluntary force management programs that were announced Feb. 5, Air Force Personnel Center officials said today.

The rollback will accelerate the date of separation for senior master sergeants and below who meet required criteria, said Lt. Col. Shelley Strong, AFPC operations division chief. Airmen affected must separate from the Air Force by May 31, and those eligible to retire must do so effective June 1 or earlier.
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Unprecedented budget factors have placed the nation's defense strategy in jeopardy, senior Department of Defense leaders told the Senate Armed Services Committee Feb. 12.
During his opening remarks, the chief of staff of the Air Force stressed the severity of the current fiscal situation.

"Sequestration threatens to carve crucial capability from America's Air Force, with alarming and immediate effects on people, readiness and infrastructure, and, eventually, on modernization," said Gen. Mark A. Welsh III. "If it occurs, it will significantly undermine your Air Force's readiness and responsiveness today."
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I was recently picking up a few items at a local retail chain at lunchtime; everywhere I walked, someone wanted to shake my hand or say, "Thank you for your service." It made me proud to be wearing the uniform of the U.S. Air Force.

While waiting in the checkout lane, I noticed a little boy shopping with his mom was staring at me from his perch in the cart. I smiled and said "Hello," but he just kept staring.

His mom apologized and explained he was crazy about people in uniform, and his hero was Captain America. She said he watches the movie over and over and puts on a little uniform to defend the house.
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Sequestration would leave the Air Force with untrained people, a lack of equipment and be "devastating" to the service, officials said Feb. 7.

The warning echoes what Department of Defense officials have stated for months about across-the-board defense cuts, in addition to an ongoing continuing resolution.

"Now that we're staring at that possibility in less than a month, I can tell you, they were right," said Air Force Vice Chief of Staff, Gen. Larry Spencer, during a media roundtable at the Pentagon.
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