Defense 
Secretary Leon Panetta on Oct. 25 called on Congress to resolve the budget sequestration issue as soon as possible after the Nov. 6 national election. He urged the lawmakers to act during the lame-duck session to prevent sequestration from taking effect in January and stripping an additional $500 billion from the defense budget over the next 10 years. “There are only 70 days until [sequestration] happens, and Congress is certainly on the clock,” said Panetta during a Pentagon press briefing with Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey. Panetta also said he wants lawmakers to conclude the Fiscal 2013 defense legislation, act on a pending cyber security bill, and confirm the nominations of Marine Gen. John Allen to be US European Command boss and of Marine Gen. Joseph Dunford to replace Allen as NATO’s commander in Kabul. “This is a full agenda,” said Panetta. “It’s one that requires Democrats and Republicans to work together. And, after a tough national election, the American people, I think, will expect both parties to roll up their sleeves, work together to solve the problems facing the nation, and to protect our national security.” (Panetta-Dempsey transcript) (AFPS report by Jim Garamone)
Air Force Academy Keeps Majors Intact amid Faculty Cuts
Aug. 20, 2025
Twenty-five faculty members—about 5 percent—have left the U.S. Air Force Academy so far this year, including those who opted into the federal Deferred Resignation Program, retired, or were not renewed for another term. Nearly 10 percent of the academy’s 1,500 or so civilian jobs were identified for elimination in 2025,…