If the House Armed Services readiness panel has its way, the Pentagon would establish a permanent corrosion policy and oversight office directly under the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics. Currently, there is a corrosion office about “three layers removed” from the undersecretary, according to the panel’s Fiscal 2008 defense authorization bill markup statement. The subcommittee also notes that “corrosion is a $10 billion problem for DOD, but this year’s budget provides only $14 million for the corrosion office.” The authorizers also want the Pentagon to submit an annual report detailing long-term strategy and the savings recouped and explaining how it arrived at its funding request based on requirements.
F-35As from the Vermont Air National Guard have deployed to Puerto Rico in recent days, continuing a major buildup of U.S. Air Force assets in Latin America aimed at combating drug trafficking and pressuring the regime of Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro.
