The Air National Guard will slash budgets for flying hours and other activities to meet $1.8 billion worth of cuts from Fiscal 2008 to 2013, said CMSgt. Richard Smith, ANG’s top enlisted man, at a recent enlisted symposium in Bismarck, Ark. He emphasized the Air Guard’s plan to sustain its current manpower level. Smith also noted that these actions and the undertaking of new Air Guard missions such as Predator operations, space and intelligence activities, and Joint Cargo Aircraft operations will transform ANG in the next five to 10 years. Of course, new missions mean new training, but with school slots at a premium, Smith acknowledged, “I don’t get a warm, fuzzy answer when I talk to folks on the Air Staff about school dates.” He is concerned that in its personnel downsizing move, the Air Force doesn’t forget that the Air Guard and Reserve need training slots to re-mission.
The Space Development Agency says it’s on track to issue its next batch of missile warning and tracking satellite contracts this month after those awards were delayed by the Pentagon’s decision to divert funds from the agency to pay troops during this fall’s prolonged government shutdown.
