As for USAF asking to manage its own fleet of aircraft—including retirement when deemed necessary—Rep. Ike Skelton (D-Mo.), chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, told defense reporters Tuesday morning that he thinks the issue will be addressed this year. “Stay tuned,” he said, adding, “It’s a tug-of-war, politically.” He acknowledged that Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley has spoken to him about it a couple of times and Skelton says he is sympathetic to the Air Force’s plight.
Amid a high-profile recruiting crisis, Air Force leaders and experts have increasingly noted the challenging long-term trends the service will face in enticing young Americans to sign up—decreasing eligibility to serve, less propensity to do so, and less familiarity with the military. But while those same leaders say there’s no “silver…