The Air Force has taken a “manageable risk” in its military construction account for 2008, Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley said March 29 before the House Appropriations panel charged with milcon oversight. He explained that the Administration’s 2008 budget request “carefully balances our facility operations and maintenance accounts;” however, he added, “It is about as low as we can fund these accounts without mortgaging our future.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.