There will be a growing gap in cyber needs going forward as the Defense Department struggles with the pressure from reduced budgets and sequestration, said Lt. Gen. Michael Basla, the Air Force’s chief information officer. Speaking to media Sept. 17 at AFA’s 2013 Air and Space Conference, Basla said he sees the resources line staying “constant, at best,” but the requirements for cyberspace will go up, leaving a gap that will continue to increase, in respect to hardware, software, and people. “So we’ve got to deal with that gap,” he asserted. Basla added that while there may be a chance of a slight increase in resources, it would come at “the expense of other capabilities.”
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.