Army Gen. Martin Dempsey, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman, said he is “supportive without caveat” of developing the F-35 strike fighter, but is concerned whether the nation “can afford all three” variants given the tightening defense budget. “Three variants create some fiscal challenges for us,” he told the House Armed Services Committee last week. Dempsey was responding to a question from Rep. Jeff Miller (R-Fla.) on his level of commitment to the Marine Corps F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variant, which has faced some developmental hiccups. “That’s something we have to keep an eye on,” answered Dempsey during the Oct. 13 hearing. He added, however, that he has “great respect” for the judgments of Marine Corps Commandant Gen. James Amos—who is confident that the F-35B will overcome its engineering challenges and successfully pass its two-year “probation” period. (See also F-35B Makes First Ship Landing and Plan B.)
Top Lawmakers Want 15 Percent Pay Raise for Enlisted Troops
April 19, 2024
A new law introduced by Congress would raise the pay rate 15 percent for junior enlisted troops and seek improvements on a range of quality of life issues, such as pay and compensation, child care, housing, health care access, and military spouse employment.