The US Air Force said Monday it has delayed planned moves for its personnel and reinstatement bonuses after Alabama lawmakers blocked funding for the service amid a political dispute over the location of the new headquarters. of the Space Command.
The Air Force is taking steps “to avoid depleting funds” and is delaying orders for planned changes of station movements for personnel, as well as bonuses for re-enlisting Airmen, the Air Force said in a statement.
“The Air Force continues to work on additional options to avoid the funding shortfall and will provide more information when it becomes available,” he said.
The decision came after Alabama lawmakers moved to reduce funding for the Air Force until a public announcement is made by the secretary of the service on the location of the new Space Command headquarters. The facility was originally planned for Colorado, but during the administration of President Donald Trump, the Air Force revised its plans and chose to locate the headquarters in Alabama after reviewing six possible locations. Trump has taken credit for the change of plans.
NBC News previously reported that Biden administration officials have privately signaled to Defense Department leaders and lawmakers that they are considering reversing the planned move to Alabama due to concerns about the state’s strict anti-abortion laws.
Meanwhile, Colorado lawmakers have pushed to build Space Command in their state. The command’s temporary headquarters is currently in Colorado.
Under the actions announced Monday, Air Force personnel who already have orders to move this month will be able to continue their new assignments, but all other change of station orders after July will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. and some planned sorties will be postponed, the Air Force said.
Citing the funding shortfall, the Air Force also said it will suspend re-enrollment bonuses for airmen for the fiscal year ending in the fall. But the service will allow airmen to extend their current enlistment through the next fiscal year of 2024 to allow them to earn a bonus at that time.
The funding restriction also meant the Air Force will have to temporarily pause a new bonus program for airmen, the service said. The program plans to “restructure” the program and reopen it within two weeks, he said.
