![Air Force Col. Elizabeth Aptekar, 60th Mission Support Group commander, stands in front of the 60th MSG formation during the 60th Air Mobility Wing change of command ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, California, July 27, 2022. (Nicholas Pilch/Air Force)](https://www.airforcetimes.com/resizer/CKahoMcSUgfEfDaXncTsMhvCk7Q=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/UALSD4WW2NBSBHEBPW6TYMVGPQ.jpg)
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![Air Force Col. Elizabeth Aptekar, 60th Mission Support Group commander, stands in front of the 60th MSG formation during the 60th Air Mobility Wing change of command ceremony at Travis Air Force Base, California, July 27, 2022. (Nicholas Pilch/Air Force)](https://www.airforcetimes.com/resizer/CKahoMcSUgfEfDaXncTsMhvCk7Q=/400x0/filters:format(jpg):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/UALSD4WW2NBSBHEBPW6TYMVGPQ.jpg)
![U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Jason Horn, commander, 139th Medical Group, Missouri Air National Guard, is promoted to the rank of colonel by his wife, son and daughter at Rosecrans Air National Guard Base, St. Joseph, Missouri, Sept. 11, 2021. (Airman Janae Masoner/Air National Guard)](https://www.airforcetimes.com/resizer/c1i4_ixDmcti29nILfnA_0I8CdQ=/400x0/filters:format(png):quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/archetype/E7LN632KKRAV3F7XYJGDGQ4O7A.png)
Over 500 airmen promoted to colonel as open slots stagnate
About one-third of eligible lieutenant colonels — 555 of nearly 1,800 — were tapped to pin on the full bird.
The promotion outlook: What lies ahead for Air Force officers and enlisted airmen
Personnel management updates aim to reward both good performance and time in service; give airmen with different skill sets a fairer shot at promotion; and judge people on their character and competence rather than popularity.
Trump orders the removal of some feds from competitive service
President Donald Trump signed an executive order Oct. 21 that would place policy-facing employees under a new schedule out of the competitive service.
By Jessie Bur