Lawmakers want to know why the Air Force pays more for its initial flying screening service than the Navy. Rep. Joel Hefley (R-Colo.) complained that a USAF contract for service in his district was “extremely more expensive,” and posited that Navy “pilots have to be at least as good as the Air Force pilots.” Lt. Gen. Donald Hoffman, Air Force military deputy for acquisition, explained that the Air Force arrangement included “care and feeding,” so there is no “true comparison.” But, queried Hefley, “was that actually measured?” He found it hard to believe that the difference amounted to just care and feeding. Holloman admitted he could not provide Navy figures. He did say that the IFS contract’s direct flight-related costs compared favorably to flight-related costs at the US Air Force Academy, where care and feeding are provided separately. The USAFA cost per student is $5,600. The IFS contract cost per student is between $5,000 and $6,000.
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.
