scary....
Neptunus Lex highlights this article. Things in the Air Force are not looking that great as it is...
The word within the U.S. Department of Defense
is that the White House wants to collect six to eight "scalps" -- major program kills -- in this year's Quadrennial Defense Review.
Some of the cuts already are being considered as Defense Secretary
Robert Gates rewrites the 2010 budget. You can expect to hear a lot of rumors about which programs are being targeted between now and when the Pentagon releases details of its budget request in April. But while most of the military services are scrambling to protect programs, at least one is getting ready to offer up a signature weapons system. The U.S. Navy will propose removal of one aircraft carrier and air wing from its posture, dropping the number of carriers to the lowest number since 1942.
I wonder what it is the Air Force will have to give up? A friend thinks the F-35 is already too far along to stop production, which is good news. But aircraft are big ticket items. I can imagine the numbers of requested F-35's will most likely shrink.
What really scares me is what will happen to existing weapons systems. First there were problems with the F-15C, then it was the F-16s, followed by the A-10, and now the mighty C-130. What's next?
The United States has enjoyed air superiority since for the most part since WWII. If the current administration allows numbers in aircraft and personnel to dwindle even more, who can guarantee that we will continue to control the skies?
Go here for the state of aircraft around the Air Force, put together the president of the AF Association.
My colleagues and I joke about buying our own office supplies and toilet paper in the next fiscal year, but what will our Air Force look and act like with an aging fleet and pilots flying less training hours due to budget cutbacks? In my opinion, not good.
posted by chic[k]pilot @ 7:00 AM
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