The year 2016 may see some relief for the most stretched airmen as the Air Force tries to boost fields such as cyber and maintenance in its first year of growth since 2010. Women also may be considering retraining in combat roles open to them for the first time. And with Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh’s expected retirement, a top general can expect a new job as Welsh’s replacement.
Here’s a look at what’s tracking for 2016:
Women in combat
A bigger force
Enlisted promotion quotas
Retirement financial education
Aircraft programs
Protecting Europe
RPA changes
Fighting ISIS
Welsh to retire
Budget outlook
Election year
Cyber realm
Sabbaticals
Commissary changes
Final frontier
