The Military Coalition’s Guard and Reserve Committee again is asking Congress to lower the reserve retirement age because the “vintage” retirement system does not recognize the “increase in service and sacrifice of Guard and Reserve service members” under the Operational Reserve Policy. TMC, comprising 35 military and veteran service organizations, including the Air Force Association, also wants to ensure a continuum of health coverage options for the Guard and Reserve. In all, TMC has about 10 items on its 2007 agenda to better conditions for the Guard and Reserve, including increasing end strengths and improving readiness.
Aircraft readiness will suffer if Congress does not approve some $1.5 billion worth of spare parts the Air Force requested in its annual Unfunded Priorities List, sent to Capitol Hill last week, Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin said.