The head of the National Guard Bureau, Lt. Gen. Steven Blum, said Tuesday that a key factor in the Air National Guard’s decision to opt out of Air Force plans to reduce personnel was that the Air Guard helps keep vital talent in the Air Force personnel pool. “Where will those talented experienced airmen and officers go and have an opportunity to serve in the Air Force if there are no part time opportunities in the Guard,” Blum asked rhetorically during a breakfast meeting with defense reporters. Blum explained that the Air Guard has discussed its plans with Air Force senior leadership. He added that ANG and Air Force Reserve Command both are working with the Air Force to find workable solutions to the coming money crunch that will include some significant adjustments in skills sets and capabilities.
The Air Force budget would grow to $234 billion while Space Force spending would shrink to $26 billion under the White House's yearly ask.