On Dec. 13, Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne and Chief
of Staff Get. T. Michael Moseley announced that the Air
Force will cut 40,000 airmen and civilian members over
the next six years. The cuts begin this fiscal year, with
some 6,800 leaving annually. The reductions will span the
Air Force’s active duty, air national guard, reserve and
civilian components, said Wynne. Although Air Force
officials hope to effect the drawdown through attrition
and reduced accessions, they are prepared to turn to other
tools. Options would be to offer airmen cross-training into
undermanned career fields, or transfers into the Guard,
Reserve, other services, or even civilian slots.
