Special operations is a rare growth area in terms of both funding and manpower in the Fiscal 2015 budget request. Joint service special operations forces are slated to grow from “60,000 troops today to 69,700,” highlighting a shift to light, rapidly deployable forces, said Defense Department Comptroller Robert Hale during the budget rollout on Tuesday. Special operations budgets will likewise blossom from $6.6 billion to $7.7 billion in Fiscal 2015, added Hale. Six new-build C-130Js are earmarked for delivery this year, including four HC-130J combat rescue aircraft and two MC-130J special operations Hercules. AFSOC is now also slated for several of the MC-12W intelligence aircraft Air Combat Command is divesting to the Army, according to a March 4 release. “We will continue to preserve our core capabilities while seeking innovative solutions to balance and modernize our force,” said Air Force Special Operations Command boss Lt. Gen. Eric Fiel.
The Senate Armed Services Committee this week released the full text of its version of the 2026 defense policy bill—often referred to as the National Defense Authorization Act—that would allow the Air Force and Space Force to spend billions of dollars more than the services had sought for next year.