Congress told service wants drawdown cut short

[unhappycamper]

Budget banter
Wynne told he can’t have it both ways


Congress told service wants drawdown cut short
By Erik Holmes - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Feb 27, 2008 20:43:04 EST

Air Force leaders want to stop the service’s personnel drawdown early and spare about 6,000 airmen’s jobs, but only if Congress provides the money to do it, the service’s top civilian official said Wednesday.

Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne, testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, said leaders have grown increasingly nervous that completing the original plan to shrink the service to 316,600 airmen will cut too deep. But facing an ongoing need to shift money into recapitalizing and modernizing the aging fleet, they decided to carry through with the original plan in the fiscal 2009 budget proposal submitted to Congress Feb. 4.

Just days later, on Feb. 8, the service submitted an $18.75 billion unfunded requirements list — often called a “wish list” — that includes $385 million to increase the force by more than 18,000 personnel. Wynne said the list was an attempt the hedge the Air Force’s bets on the personnel issue.

Committee Chairman Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., blasted Wynne for not clearly communicating the Air Force’s personnel needs.

“You can’t have it both ways,” he said. “Tell us what you want right now.”


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/02/airforce_budget_drawdown_022708w/



uhc comment: These folks have previously asked for $735,7000,000,000 for 2009. I fully expect the whining to continue.

[HawkerHurricane]

1. Typical Air Farce

How the Navy builds an airbase:
First, they build the runways, then the hangers, then the control towers, then barracks for the men, and when they run out of money to complete the barracks, well the men just have to live in half complete housing. But at least they have an airbase!

How the Air Force builds an airbase:
First, they build the officers club, then the golf course, then the senior enlisted club, then the bowling alley, then the post exchange, then they gymnasium and when they run out of money they get more from congress because, heck, they don't have enough money to build the runways! How can you have a airbase with no runways? So congress gives them more money.

[w8liftinglady]

2. LOL..you are SO right...

when my dad was stationed at Ft Meade,Md-the Army guys had barracks that were coal fueled(they had to shovel their own coal)..while the AF dorms were modern,air conditioned...nice.

[FalconsRule]

4. Except that the Army controlled all the barracks

at Fort Meade...nice try.

[w8liftinglady]

6. hehe-that was the perception-wy dad lived in NCO housing

[FalconsRule]

3. Of course that is TOTAL bullshit

But you knew that.

[HawkerHurricane]

5. Of course...

After they got the money for the runways, they would build flag officer housing, a 2nd golf course, the senior officers club, the senior enlisted club, if there was water nearby a marina...
Then they'd hit congress up for more money AGAIN.

[FalconsRule]

7. Don't know much

about the AF do you?

[HawkerHurricane]

8. No, Dad was Air Farce

I learned from his experience and joined the Navy instead.

What, did you think I was KIDDING? After the U.S. was forced to close thier bases in PI, we built new ones in Guam to base the units on... and that's exactly what happened, the Navy ended up with a operational airbase with lousy base facilities, and the Air Farce ended up with great base facilities and no airfield. They had to beg congress for more money. Which congress gave them.

[Name removed]

9. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Doubting Thomas]

10. Proof:

I'm his dad, and yes, I was in the Air Force.

[FalconsRule]

12. So?

What you told him is wrong.

BTW, this isn't proof.

[Doubting Thomas]

13. You don't know what I told him.

I told him about the caste system, the arrogance of the higher ranks, the brown-nose system for advancement, how I got stuck in Alabama for 4 years when I wanted to see the world, all sorts of stuff.

Proof?

It's proof his dad was in the USAF. You want a copy of my DD214?

Can't you see the sarcasm? Lighten up.

He has proof of the base building fiasco if he wants to bother arguing with you.

[FalconsRule]

14. I believe you were in the USAF

Doesn't mean you know anything about any "base building fiasco" though. Not with your overwhelming 4 years of AF experience.

[Doubting Thomas]

15. I never said I knew anything about the

base building fiasco.

I said that I was in AF. Try reading the posts again.

Especially the part where you said "You don't know much about the AF, do you?" And he replied "No, but..." the "no" means he admitted he didn't know much about the AF. He can provide proof about the base building if he decides to waste his time arguing with you. I suggest you look it up for yourself instead of just denying it.

4 yrs, 9 months. Thanks to the Cuban missile crisis.

[FalconsRule]

16. Neither of you do... N/T

[Jack 4 Ohio]

11. K&R nt