Marine Corps Gen. Peter Pace asserted yesterday that lawmakers have been made aware of the effect of delaying the defense supplemental funding now before them. Talking with defense reporters Tuesday morning, the JCS Chairman explained that, if the US military doesn’t get the necessary funding shortly, training within the US—especially for the Army—must be curtailed, as would equipment repairs. And, he said, “We’d have to start thinking about preparing for releasing civilian employees” as well. If the funds aren’t available by May 15, the Army would have to consider changing tour lengths due to insufficient training and equipment. “We are trying to be helpful in the decision process by putting on the table what we know about last year,” Pace said. The Pentagon already has signaled plans to take money from the Air Force and the Navy to support Army operations.
When the Air Force sets a new program baseline for the B-52 re-engining this fall, there will be “some” cost increase, because the project wasn't previously fully funded, and the Air Force has a better handle on actual supplier costs and knowledge from ground testing, program officials said.