If budget sequestration continues—as most suspect it will—there’ll be an impact to every single Air Force modernization and recapitalization program, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh told members of the House Armed Services Committee. In fact, “as many as 50 percent” of the service’s modernization programs could be cut in the period beyond the Pentagon’s current five-year budget planning cycle, he said in his Sept. 18 testimony. Welsh called the forecast for such programs “bleak.” “These disruptions will, over time, cost more money to rectify contract breaches, raise unit costs, and delay delivery of critical equipment,” he said. Air Force leaders, including Welsh, have said many times they favor investing in new, modern capabilities over spending precious funds on upgrading legacy weapon systems. Along those lines, the Air Force is making every effort to protect its top three acquisition programs from budget cuts: the KC-46A tanker, F-35 strike fighter, and long-range-strike family of systems. (Welsh’s written statement)
When Airmen eject, the mission is clear: America leaves no warrior behind. Airmen are trained to survive, evade, resist, and escape the enemy, and everyone from ground crew to rescue personnel and commanders are committed to doing everything necessary—and possible—to bring downed Airmen home.