A return to sequester-level funding will “place American lives at greater risk, both at home and abroad,” said Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James during a House Armed Services Committee hearing Tuesday. “Under sequestration, the Air Force cannot guarantee that we’ll meet the nation’s demands. And, our people will definitely be in more danger, and I just think this is not acceptable. Something has got to give,” added James. Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh said the Air Force must make some “persistent, consistent investment” in critical infrastructure and readiness if it wants to be viable in the future. “If we don’t invest in readiness today, we risk losing the fight today,” said Welsh during the same hearing. “If we don’t invest in readiness and capability for the future, we risk losing the future fight.” Welsh estimated it would take eight to 10 years “to recover full-spectrum readiness.” (James and Welsh prepared testimony)
The top Air Force commander on on the Japanese island of Okinawa has clamped down alcohol and issued a curfew for junior enlisted Airmen and Guardians at Kadena Air Base for the next month. The order came roughly two weeks after a U.S. Marine was arrested for allegedly robbing and…