Jumper Sees Iraqi Need for US Airpower: Gen. John P. Jumper predicts that Iraq will need on-call US airpower longer than it will need US ground forces. The Chief of Staff, who retires Sept. 2, told reporters Iraqi forces will “require the support from the air until they’re able to set up their own ability to support themselves.” Jumper added, “That’s going to take a while, even after some future withdrawal of [US] ground forces.”
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.