The Bush Administration plan to expand US ground forces by 92,000 soldiers and marines will be too late to ease operational stresses caused by the war in Iraq, and “given world realities … looks like a marginal if not poor investment,” writes Editor in Chief Robert Dudney in Air Force Magazine. Dudney believes there will be “a pernicious indirect effect” of this ground force buildup—“cannibalism” of the Air Force and Navy as bill-payers. The planned growth in ground forces has spurred Air Force leaders to reconsider the plan to cut 40,000 airmen, however Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley told House lawmakers that the service doesn’t have enough money to sustain it current personnel and stay relevant with equipment.
U.S. Air Force F-15C Eagles have roared out of Barnes Air National Guard Base, Mass., for the last time. The 104th Fighter Wing’s last three F-15Cs departed the base Oct. 23 for the “Boneyard” at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., ending the aircraft's era on the frontlines of homeland defense.
