Of the Air Force’s $3.9 billion budget request in Fiscal 2013 for military construction, military family housing, and facilities, the largest chunk—some $2.8 billion—is programmed for operations and maintenance of the service’s facilities, Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told the Daily Report. “We have requested $2.1 billion for facility sustainment, which covers general day-to-day maintenance,” said Stefanek. There’s also some $700 million sought “for restoration and modernization, which pays for new projects below the Milcon threshold, and for repair projects to bring older facilities up to current standards,” she explained. Rounding out of the total $3.9 billion request is $442 million for Milcon, some $500 million for military family housing, and some $100 million for environmental cleanups associated with BRAC. Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz presented the Milcon-housing-facilities request to House appropriators last week, but did not provide the numbers breakdown for facilities at that time.
The Air Force's new Aircraft Readiness Unit will maintain and provide Collaborative Combat Aircraft for operations, but won’t serve as a “schoolhouse” teaching fighter pilots how to manage these escort drones.