New Sequestration Math
The Air Force may have to cut up to 25,000 airmen and as many as 550 aircraft over the next five years if sequestration spending caps continue, Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh told members of the Senate Armed Services...
Victory of Hollow
Sequestration already has created a hollow force, and it will get worse, said Frank Kendall, undersecretary for acquisition, technology, and logistics. “Over the next few years…you’re going to have shortfalls that are going to debilitate” the Department of Defense, Kendall...
Lost in the Orange Triangle
The Pentagon may go on a research and development hiatus for a few years in all but a few carefully chosen areas if sequester isn’t repealed, said Pentagon acquisition, technology and logistics chief Frank Kendall Thursday. Speaking at the Center...
Invisible Reductions
Six military and industrial associations—including AFA—sent a letter to the members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff this week urging them to bolster education efforts to the general public and members of Congress on the dire impacts of sequestration. The...
The Post SCMR Sequester Plan
All four service chiefs told members of the Senate Armed Services Committee on Nov. 7 that they gained some valuable lessons after last summer’s Strategic Choices Management Review. Sequestration has forced the Defense Department to plan for a range of...
Air Force Retires its Oldest Osprey
The Air Force retired its oldest CV-22 Osprey this week, announced Air Force Special Operations Command. The aircraft—tail No. 99021—served as an additional test asset for the 413th Flight Test Squadron at Eglin AFB, Fla., since 1999. “It’s a one-of-a-kind...
B-52 Upgrade to Extend Smart Weapons Capacity
Boeing received a $24.6 million contract from the Air Force to increase the B-52’s smart weapons capacity by 50 percent, announced company officials. Under the terms of the contract, Boeing will produce three prototype launchers, with initial capability slated for...
Calls to Delay F-35 Basing Decision
The Project on Government Oversight, a nonpartisan watchdog organization, is urging the Air Force to delay F-35A basing decisions until the aircraft’s safety record “is better established,” according to a letter from POGO Executive Director Danielle Brian to Acting Secretary...
Here’s to You, Doolittle Raiders
The National Museum of the US Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, has invited the local community to personally welcome the Doolittle Tokyo Raiders for their grand arrival on Nov. 9. Community members are encouraged to wave flags and line the...
AFA, USAF Partnership to Support Wounded Airmen
AFA President Craig McKinley and Daniel Ginsberg, assistant secretary of the Air Force for manpower and reserve affairs, have signed a memorandum of understanding giving AFA’s Wounded Airman Program the ability to directly support airmen and their families. The MOU...