Out of the Riga Summit, NATO heads of state have developed a laundry list of “initiatives to increase the capacity of [member] forces to address contemporary threats and challenges.” Included in the Riga Summit Declaration are commitments to increase the alliance’s strategic airlift capability, which they deemed “crucial” to rapid deployment and to address “identified persistent shortages.” They mentioned the recently concluded agreement to buy several C-17 airlifters. Other provisions include activating an Intelligence Fusion Center to improve intelligence sharing and signing the first major contract for a NATO Active Layered Theater Ballistic Missile Defense System.
Female Airmen and Guardians will soon be able to let their hair down—at least a little. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. recently approved a recommendation by the Air Force uniform board to allow women to wear their hair in one or two braids, or a…