A group of Senators from Georgia, Oklahoma, and Utah recently went out to the depots to see how things are shaking out. They liked what they saw, Sen. Jim Inhofe (R-Okla.), told Air Force leaders at a budget hearing last week. For example, he said, the three air logistics centers had cut aircraft flow days nearly in half. Inhofe took issue with the Air Force 2007 budget proposal that would take depot maintenance funds and put them into a general working capital account, saying he wants to keep the $150 million where it belongs—at the depots. Sen. Saxby Chambliss (R-Ga.) also took issue with the funds transfer, saying depots deserve support for all the improvements they are making. Air Force Michael Wynne told Senators that he was confident that no matter where the money went, depot maintenance would get what it needs.
Airmen basic rarely go on to become four-star generals, but one who did retired last week after a 42 year career that saw him rise from a lowly slick-sleeve to the head of one of the Air Force’s most important major commands.