As budgets tighten, the Air Force intends to cut “nice-to-have” programs such as base bowling alleys and golf courses, said Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh during a visit with airmen in Grand Forks, N.D. “We have already decided what our core support programs are in the Air Force and those will be funded: child and youth programs, health care for families, airmen and family readiness centers and so on,” said Welsh. “We are not going to cut those things.” However, the Air Force simply can’t afford other facilities that once made base life a bit more enjoyable. Instead, airmen and their families will have to rely on local communities for such entertainment. Overseas locations and some remote bases could be exceptions, noted Welsh. “We will have to cut people. We will have to cut force structure until we can rebalance and create a ready force that is at the readiness levels we think we will need to be successful,” he said.
Dick Cheney’s Legacy with the Air Force
Nov. 6, 2025
Dick Cheney, who died Nov. 3 at 84, is best remembered by most Americans as among the most powerful Vice Presidents in history, a consummate Washington insider who had previously served in the Nixon administration, was Chief of Staff for President Gerald Ford, a Congressman for a decade, and Secretary…
