SecAF: Sequestration hits AF readiness, modernization

News > SecAF: Sequestration hits AF readiness, modernization

Photos

1 of 5


Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh III field questions from members of the Pentagon press corps at the Pentagon, May 24, 2013. During the press briefing, Donley and Welsh addressed the force structure, readiness and modernization challenges the Air Force is facing in the current fiscal environment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
Download HiRes

SecAF: Sequestration hits AF readiness, modernization

Posted 5/24/2013

Email story Print story

by Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

5/24/2013 - WASHINGTON (AFPS) -- Sequestration has hit the Air Force particularly hard, impacting its force structure, readiness and modernization, senior Air Force leaders said here today.

Air Force Secretary Michael B. Donley and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the chief of staff, said Congress must provide a solid budget number so the Air Force can ground its planning in reality.

The Air Force understands it must do its part to work through the debt and deficit reduction problem, Welsh said.

"We just want to get to the bottom line or the new top-line budget ... and get on with preparing our Air Force to remain the best in the world," he said.

Sequestration has hit the Air Force hard and the effects are felt throughout the full range of accounts from force structure to readiness to modernization, Donley said during his last scheduled news conference as secretary.

On April 26, Donley announced plans to step down June 21 as the Air Force's top civilian after serving as secretary for nearly five years.

"Twelve combat-coded squadrons have stopped flying, and important training has been canceled," Donley said. "Weapon system sustainment reductions will delay maintenance, increase costs and create backlogs. The impending civilian furlough will hamper us further and will impact morale and reduce productivity across the Air Force."

Even before sequestration there was a readiness crisis in the Air Force, the secretary said. "The readiness hole that we have been trying to dig out of just got deeper, and we are facing a readiness crisis from which it will take many months to recover," he said.

And it is not just operations and readiness accounts that are at risk, said Donley, noting the Air Force needs modernization -- in aircraft, missiles, and capabilities.

"As advanced technologies proliferate around the globe, these cutbacks in modernization would put at risk the Air Force capabilities this nation will need in the decades ahead," Donley said. "Despite our near-term and long-term concerns, we are working to ensure that our most significant Air Force priorities remain on track, including the fifth-generation F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the KC-46 tanker, and the long-range strike bomber."

Aircraft must support the warfighters, but budget cuts mean that airmen cannot train for full spectrum operations, Welsh said.

"And our readiness continues to decline, even while calls for potential no-fly zone or air policing operations in response to Syrian violence are reaching a new crescendo," he said.

"We're still the best Air Force in the world," Welsh said. "And our great airmen will rely on experience and their unmatched dedication to succeed in any operation that we're asked to execute. But atrophied skills elevate risk, and stagnant proficiency will only grow over time if we can't restore some sense of budget normalcy. And so that's what we're hoping for."

Comments

6/1/2013 6:40:53 AM ET
We're so genuinely concerned about the budget and programs that bleed our services and country dry yet it's only a minor problem in comparison. For 12 years we continue to destroy all of our assets fighting meaningless and worthless wars. We use the wrong tool every time and are destroying precious precision tools we will never replace due to these budgetary woes. Not only are our most precious tangible resources literally falling apart the morale of the warfighter is crushed. Gen Welsh understands this and it may be his toughest problem. He spoke of atrophied skills and stagnant proficiency soon there will be nothing but inexperience and non-proficient aviators as even the most die-hard tap out. I've seen it all and the bottom is about to fall out in regards to retaining bodies to fly these broken worn-out misused aircraft.

Ftr Spc Ops Plt, Forever Deployed

5/31/2013 5:01:41 AM ET
Air Force Civilians have not seen a pay raise in three years and now furloughs which equate to a 4.3 percent pay cut this year. America is breaking their faith with these workers.

JK, JBLE

5/30/2013 10:41:52 AM ET
@Bemused - Space is the future NASA should get more money. @Steve - impeach On what grounds Silly comment.

Ivan, cannon

5/30/2013 9:31:46 AM ET
CGO TX Well said. Whatever happened to We the People

Arctic Warrior, Colorado Springs CO

5/30/2013 7:55:27 AM ET
FGO yes US society is disconnected from its military. And it doesn't help that DoD is suspending community outreach efforts by the Blue Angels precision parachute teams and other units. For many citizens outside major areas of military presence those demonstrations are the only opportunity to connect with the services.

trad jazz lover, New Orleans La.

5/29/2013 1:44:55 PM ET
restore some sense of budget normalcy. And so that's what we're hoping for.That would require some sense of normalcy from our radical president. Don't get your hopes up--impeach

Steve, California

5/29/2013 9:57:09 AM ET
The AF will keep doing its job. I just wish the elected officials would do what they have been called to do. The real worry is that we see more deaths due to pushing out scheduled MX on our old warbirds. Was the 135 crash in Manas caused by a MX issue or pilot error Our immature leaders in Washington are writing their legacy with our blood and the American people are standing by with their head buried in the sand.

CGO, TX

5/29/2013 9:55:34 AM ET
Look on the bright side ... NASA gets 2.8 billion to research the lasso of an asteroid

Bemused, CA

5/28/2013 10:54:34 PM ET
We are nothing more than numbers on a spread sheet

Enough, Las Vegas

5/28/2013 4:28:55 PM ET
@Gerardo Paredes I... Well I think... What

Colin, Hickam AFB HI

5/28/2013 12:16:36 PM ET
POTUS says the American public is dangerously disconnected from those of us who serve. What are our USAF and JCS leaders doing to articulate the implications of budget indecision to our civilian leadership

FGO, NCR

5/28/2013 10:19:08 AM ET
Your right RNF. Not until it hits Congress's personal pocketbooks. I am still baffeled how we are being punished financially for something we did not cause or have any control over.

Still Scratching My Head, OK

5/24/2013 10:12:38 PM ET
It is Vital for USA to be the Best in The Air Force.

Gerardo Paredes, Leon Gto.

5/24/2013 8:52:41 PM ET
Our leaders' testimony is falling on deaf ears. No one in Washington DC cares about sequestration. It is yesterday's topic.

RNF, Las Vegas NV

Add a comment