Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 70A.djvu/552

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494

494 necessary to form the basis for a complete and immediate mobilization for the national defense in the event of a national emergency. (e) Subject to subsection (f) of this section and chapter 831 of this title, the authorized strength of the Air Force is 70 Eegular Air Force groups and such separate Regular Air Force squadrons, reserve groups, and supporting and auxiliary regular and reserve units as required. (f) There are authorized for the Air Force 24,000 serviceable aircraft or 225,000 airframe tons of serviceable aircraft, whichever the Secretary of the Air Force considers appropriate to carry out this section. This subsection does not apply to guided missiles. § 8066. Generals and lieutenant generals (a) The President may designate positions of importance and responsibility in the Air Force to carry the grade of general or lieutenant general. He may assign to those positions officers of the Air Force on active duty in any grade above brigadier general. While he holds one of those positions an officer has the grade specified for the position if appointed thereto by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. (b) The number of positions designated under subsection (a) may not be more than 15 percent of the number of general officers on active duty. Not more than 25 percent of those positions may be designated as positions to be held by officers in the grade of general. (c) General officers on the active list of the Regular Air Force who are specifically authorized by law to hold any civil office under the United States, or any instrumentality thereof, are in addition to the numbers authorized by this section. (d) Appointment to the grade of general or lieutenant general under subsection (a) does not vacate the Regular or Reserve grade held by the officer. When his appointment under that subsection terminates, he is entitled to resume any other grade that he may then be entitled to hold. §8067.

Designation: officers to perform certain professional functions (a) Medical functions in the Air Force shall be performed by commissioned officers of the Air Force who are qualified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Air Force in conformity with section 8289 or 8294 of this title, and who are designated as medical officers. (b) Dental functions in the Air Force shall be performed by commissioned officers of the Air Force who are qualified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary in conformity with section 8294 of this title, and who are designated as dental officers. (c) Veterinary functions in the Air Force shall be performed by commissioned officers of the Air Force who are qualified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, and who are designated as veterinary officers. (d) Medical service f imctions in the Air Force shall be performed by commissioned officers of the Air Force who are qualified under regulations prescribed by the Secretary, and who are designated as medical service officers.