Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) noted that the National Guard is “stretched pretty thin in a range of areas” and ventured to ask whether Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld would recommend reinstituting the military draft. Rumsfeld replied, “The answer is flat no.” He continued, “ All we need to do is what anyone else with a volunteer entity has to do, and that’s adjust the incentives so that you can attract and retain the people you need.”
The Pentagon awarded a contract worth over $2 billion for the next batch of F-35 engines to Pratt & Whitney on June 5. The deal for Lot 17 F135 engines, totaling $2.02 billion, is expected to be completed by December 2025.