Speaking with defense reporters on Tuesday morning, Ike Skelton, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, expressed concern about the amount and kind of support the Administration’s planned troop surge in Iraq will need. Skelton noted that the new head of the Multi-National Force—Iraq, Army Gen. David Petraeus, has asked for at least 2,200 additional military police on top of the planned 21,000-plus ground force buildup. Skelton answered his own question— “where are you going to get the MPs?”—saying, “I think you’re going to end up with a lot more sailors and airmen doing security work.” He added: “Already today we have about 22,000 sailors and airmen doing security work. We’re really stretching the force. ”
The rate of building B-21 bombers would speed up if the fiscal 2026 defense budget passes. But it remains unclear how much capacity would be added, and whether the Air Force would simply build the bombers faster, or buy more.
