Air Force Cuts Mean Service Is 'Slowly Going Out of Business'
http://defense.aol.com/2012/08/08/ai...ice-stands-on/
Read the rest of the article at the linked page.Department of Defense in the 2013 budget -- $4.8 billion of $5.2 billion. The effects have been immediate and ****ounced: nearly 10,000 airmen are being cut; 227 aircraft are being prematurely retired; and critical capability shortfalls are on the rise.
The Air Force's planned purchase of 54 aircraft in 2013 translates into a 100-year replacement rate. That's like asking current airmen to leave their jets on the tarmac and instead fly into harm's way in one of the Wright Brothers' kite-like biplanes. One has to look back to 1916 to find a year when the Air Force purchased fewer aircraft. While DoD's new strategic guidance emphasized the need to pursue "acceptable risk," these numbers demonstrate a clear divide between the Department's rhetorical goals and budget realities.
As a newly commissioned USAF officer, this makes me a tad nervous. I could totally see a major RIF happen once Afghanistan dies down, and I'll be a junior officer during that time, which is who they tend go for so that they don't step on hopes for pensions. Oh well, here's hoping.
227 Aircraft and 10,000 airman, HOLY ****. How come the squids didn't big cuts too?
You will need ships to contains China. While your airspace is out of their reach.Originally Posted by T-5 Killer
Plus they buy you less aircraft sure but how many brand new drones will be fielded?
The most surprising thing about this article: AOL is still around?
There were large personnel cuts for both Navy and AF, about 3-4 years ago. They just called it "Force Shaping". For the AF, in particular, the Year 2002-2003 Commissionees took a shot in the junk, with many being given their walking papers.
That's how the Army managed to feed the "Blue To Green" program.
From what I heard is that leadership is mulling increasing the foot print of the National Guard and cutting back on the active duty.
From what I gather, not many AF guys chose to make the transition to the Army. I'll have to dig around for some numbers though.
Some of us looked at going from fixed wing to helicopters but they (the Army) couldn't guarantee we would return to avaiation.
With the Air Force budget in such serious jeopardy, maybe now is the time for the Army to try and recapture the fixed-wing CAS/COIN/anti-armor mission, as well as forward base logistical support from the air.
USAAC for the 21st Century?
Its not a half bad idea since the A-10 was the black sheep in the AF. Some light COIN aircraft would be nice and some what cheap.
Let the Army take over the A-10s and buy a few hundred F-35Bs for forward air support and air defense, along with some T6Bs for COIN. C-27Js for forward logistical support. And do not let the Army back out once the budget realities dawn on them.
AF won this round
National guard 107th wing in upstate ny chopped. It is collocated with an AF reserve wing, and the AF wing survived. Niagara Falls base i fear will not survive the decade..
Damn that sucks.
The New Mexico ANG lost the 150th wing when its F-16s went back in 2010. I hope Niagara Falls keeps open.
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