Boeing and the Air Force rolled out the first re-winged A-10 ground-attack aircraft in a ceremony at Hill AFB, Utah, announced the company on Thursday. "This enhanced wing assembly will give the A-10 new strength and a new foundation for its continued service into 2040," said Mark Bass, Boeing's maintenance, modifications, and upgrades vice president, in a company release. Boeing is under contract to deliver 233 wing sets to the Air Force through 2018. The company is producing the wings at its facility in Macon, Ga. It supplies them to Ogden Air Logistics Center at Hill for installation on those A-10s in the fleet with comparatively thin-skin wings that have been prone to cracks in the past. Wednesday's rollout comes at a time when the Air Force is proposing to eliminate five A-10 squadrons as part of its force adjustments to conform to the Obama Administration's new defense strategic guidance. "We're reducing 102 A-10s," said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz during a Pentagon briefing on Feb. 3. He added, "There're still going to be 246 A-10s left in the inventory."
The Air Force will inactivate the 81st Fighter Squadron, an A-10C unit, at Spangdahlem AB, Germany, and the 603rd Air Control Squadron at Aviano AB, Italy, announced Pentagon officials on Thursday. These moves are part of the broader changes to the US military posture in Europe that will reduce the US footprint there from about 80,000 troops today to some 70,000 in 2017. The loss of the 81st FS will leave Spangdahlem with the 480th FS that operates F-16s. Also among the changes: the Army will inactivate two Germany-based infantry brigades (170th and 172nd) as well as its V Corps headquarters in Wiesbaden, Germany. The announcement came on the day that Defense Secretary Leon Panetta met with German Defense Minister Thomas De Maizière at the Pentagon.
The Defense Department has already closed roughly 100 facilities in Europe over the last six to seven years, but more cuts are coming, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta told members of the House Armed Services Committee Wednesday. Panetta said Pentagon leaders are looking at closing another 23 facilities. "We are, and we have been, looking at infrastructure abroad very carefully, because obviously, if we're going to look at infrastructure in this country, we're obligated to look at infrastructure abroad," he said. According to the Obama Administration's new defense strategic guidance (caution, large-size file), the United States remains committed to "supporting peace and prosperity in Europe as well as bolstering the strength and vitality of NATO." However, because "most European countries are now producers of security rather than consumers of it," now is the right time "to rebalance the US military investment in Europe," states the guidance.
The Air Force will not cut its science and technology budget much, but officials are subjecting priorities within the budget to a needs test, said Air Force Research Lab Chief Technologist Jennifer Ricklin on Wednesday. The Air Force has placed the highest priorities on technology areas where "no one else is going to do it for us," said Ricklin at an Aviation Week conference in Arlington, Va. This means those technologies that have application to USAF and few others. Among those will be high-speed propulsion, she said. Areas of "increased emphasis" in the Air Force's S&T program include—not necessarily in order of importance—cyber, energy, human performance, sustainment, nuclear, autonomous flight, long-range strike, and situational awareness, she said. Activity in some of these areas will grow "at the expense of others" not on the list as AFRL shakes out the priorities, she noted. "There are some businesses we are getting out of," asserted Ricklin, without giving details.
Congress' zeal to reward the troops with hefty pay and benefits increases over the past 10 years has to be curbed, or personnel costs will wipe out the whole defense budget. So said Todd Harrison, senior defense fellow with the Center for Budgetary and Strategic Assessments. Speaking at AFA's Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies in Arlington, Va., Harrison said personnel costs went up 4.2 percent annually over that span, and if defense budget toplines stayed flat from here on out, "by 2039, personnel costs will consume the whole of the budget." He said he doesn't expect that to happen, but he praised DOD's efforts to rein in costs both by cutting people and compensation, since the current numbers are unsustainable. Reducing personnel "really does have a huge effect" due to the compounding effect, and because of retiree costs, said Harrison. Retirees, at about two million, now outnumber active duty forces, at 1.4 million, he noted. DOD has to put 33 cents in trust for every dollar of basic pay, so it can keep pension promises, he said. Though "no one likes to talk about this" there is budgetary "competition between retirees and active duty forces," asserted Harrison in his Feb. 17 address.
Italy's defense ministry is cutting F-35 strike fighter procurement by nearly a third, slicing Italy's order from a total of 131 airframes to 90 aircraft. "It's a significant reduction that is coherent with our need to reduce spending," Defense Minister Giampaolo Di Paola told a joint meeting of Italy's legislative bodies last week, reported Reuters. Italy—one of the original F-35 development partners—had intended to purchase 69 F-35A conventional takeoff and landing aircraft and 62 F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variants in 2002, worth $6.6 billion, reported BBC. Italy's announcement closely follows the Pentagon's decision to postpone ordering a total of 179 aircraft between Fiscal 2013 and 2017 to allow more time for F-35 testing before significantly ramping up aircraft production. Di Paola did not specify how cuts fall on each of the variants.
Andersen AFB, Guam—From contrail altitudes to near the flat blue floor of the Pacific, there's an air battle raging morning and afternoon here. It's called Cope North and its grown into a major trilateral event in the suite of USAF battle exercises. Aircrews deployed from the United States, Japan, and Australia have piled up more than 1000 sorties flying 78 aircraft in operations since Feb. 12. USAF B-52s, F-15s, F-16CJs, KC-135s, and AWACS are facing off daily against Pacific Air Forces aggressors and other red team players in large-force exercises. "Anytime you have 30 to 40 aircraft in the sky—that is challenging," said Col. Marc Reese of 13th Air Force, a director for Cope North. In the airspace around here, fighters and bombers alike take turns as friendly "blue" or enemy "red" air simulating a sophisticated, fourth generation adversary. Debriefs follow the exacting Red Flag format with USAF, Japanese, and Australian crews combing every second of the action for kills, misses, and lessons learned. Cope North culminates on Friday.
The extreme austerity of the new defense budget demands "unity" from the "extended Air Force family," said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz Thursday. In his keynote address to AFA's Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla., Schwartz said that while "we may not agree on how to compose a smaller force, we must avoid composing a lesser force." On the F-35 strike fighter, the size and disposition of the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve, and other issues, "we can't afford any splintering of unity," said Schwartz. "This is the time for harmonized voices and partnership," he asserted, "to ensure a future viable force." Schwartz said the many "tough calls" that have been made regarding the relative sizes of the active and reserve components were made "together," although "not always with unanimity." Still, he urged his listeners to get behind the new plan, lest it be taken apart by more focused entities. The Air Force community must "articulate the undeniable need for airpower" in an uncertain world with many serious looming threats, said Schwartz.
—Team Player:
The Air Force is bearing some of the cost to soften the blow of downsizing ground forces over the coming years, said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz Thursday at AFA's Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla. After his keynote address, Schwartz was asked if it was fair to say the Air Force had not done as well as the other services in the Pentagon's Fiscal 2013 budget request. He replied that it would be "inhumane" to try to cut the Army and Marine Corps by 65,000 and 10,000 troops, respectively, "in one year." The 2013 budget, he explained, is a "snapshot that needs to be taken in a larger context." The "glide path" for reducing manpower defense-wide "will extend from [Fiscal] '13 through [Fiscal] '17 and probably beyond," he said. He continued, "Because of that reality, there were certain push-arounds associated with the budget." He said the Air Force will "have our opportunity to alter that snapshot condition in '13 as we go forward." Toward the larger question of budget share, he said: "I don't think anyone can deny the fact that the new strategic guidance is air- and space- and cyber-power friendly. It's undeniable. We'll just have to posture ourselves in an economic and efficient way . . . for those requirements."
The Great Migration:
Critical functions that the Air Force has long funded using overseas contingency operations funds will have to "migrate" to the base budget if the service is to remain ready, Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said Thursday. "We are in the process of determining which of those functions that were funded by OCO will endure, and therefore whose funding will need to be migrated, at an appropriate level, back" to the base budget, he said in his address at AFA's Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla. He added, "we estimate that billions of dollars will need to be migrated back in this fashion." Some of those functions include remotely piloted aircraft and flying hours, he noted. "While we have been weaning ourselves off OCO, we will have to make the full transition" to baseline budgeting by Fiscal 2014, he said. Schwartz also warned "we will make additional tough calls" in the years to come.
Pacific Air Forces Commander Gen. Gary North said "places not bases" will be a key part of US strategy in the future. Speaking Thursday on a panel on contingency operations at AFA's Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla., North said he was happy that the Pentagon's new defense strategy "gives us positioning power in the Pacific." He added: "Our friends and our allies want a strong US presence in the region."
Kadena Squadron Recognized as USAF's Best Fighter Unit:
The 67th Fighter Squadron, an F-15 unit under the 18th Wing at Kadena AB, Japan, earned the Raytheon Trophy for 2011, judged the Air Force's top air superiority squadron during last year. "The 67th Fighter Squadron clearly displayed its superior ability to dominate the sky anywhere in the world," said Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz in announcing the winner. Lt. Col. Robert Cioppa, the 67th FS commander, said: "The credit for this award truly belongs with the men and women of the 67th FS and [aircraft maintenance unit]." He added, "In my career, I have never seen any fighter squadron endure the operations tempo the 67th FS had in 2011." This included "two short-notice, real-world deployments" and sending personnel and aircraft to 10 different countries on three continents "while supporting multiple joint and international exercises," he said. The 27th Fighter Squadron, an F-22 unit at JB Langley-Eustis, Va., was the 2010 recipient of the annual trophy.
Sixty-eight percent of all airmen entered service after 9/11, so they have never known an Air Force that was not involved in wars. The high operational tempo of the last decade is the new normal for today's force, said CMSAF James Roy during AFA's Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando, Fla., on Feb. 24. Airmen want to know how they are going to keep their edge, said Roy. "That's a good question, because I think that's the question of the future," he said. Senior leaders have to make sure they are up to the task and figure out how to ensure airmen remain motivated, said Roy. "I know we can do it. We made the transition after 9/11 very, very quickly, and airmen have shown us they are willing to produce every single day," he said.
The Obama administration’s proposed defense budget calls for military families and retirees to pay sharply more for their healthcare, while leaving unionized civilian defense workers’ benefits untouched. The proposal is causing a major rift within the Pentagon, according to U.S. officials. Several congressional aides suggested the move is designed to increase the enrollment in Obamacare’s state-run insurance exchanges.
The disparity in treatment between civilian and uniformed personnel is causing a backlash within the military that could undermine recruitment and retention.
The proposed increases in health care payments by service members, which must be approved by Congress, are part of the Pentagon’s $487 billion cut in spending. It seeks to save $1.8 billion from the Tricare medical system in the fiscal 2013 budget, and $12.9 billion by 2017.
Many in Congress are opposing the proposed changes, which would require the passage of new legislation before being put in place.
“We shouldn’t ask our military to pay our bills when we aren’t willing to impose a similar hardship on the rest of the population,†Rep. Howard “Buck†McKeon, chairman of the House Armed Services Committee and a Republican from California, said in a statement to the Washington Free Beacon. “We can’t keep asking those who have given so much to give that much more.â€
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama on Wednesday will host a dinner for 78 US military personnel to express the nation's gratitude to, and recognize the significant contributions of, the more than 1 million Americans who served during Operation Iraqi Freedom and/or Operation New Dawn in Iraq from March 2003 to December 2011. The dinner is also meant to honor the families that supported them. The invited service members represent the 50 states, District of Columbia, and US territories. They come from diverse backgrounds, ranks, and from all services, including the National Guard and Reserve, according to the Pentagon's release. Among them—by our count—are 11 airmen, including CMSAF James Roy, who is representing Michigan. Also attending will be Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey, the service Chiefs, and leaders of the National Guard and Reserve.
Abizaid Panel: 9/11 Victims' Cremated Remains Went in Landfill:
Unidentifiable portions of remains from some 9/11 victims at the Pentagon and at Shanksville, Pa., were cremated and subsequently placed in a Virginia landfill, according to the report from the independent panel that examined Air Force mortuary operations at Dover AFB, Del. However, it was unclear as of late Tuesday, whether those remains had actually passed through Dover, since the Air Force leadership could not immediately confirm this finding. "This is new information to me," said Air Force Secretary Michael Donley during a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday to discuss the panel's recommendation to improve the Dover mortuary operations (see entry below). He added, "We haven't had a chance to review all of the records of the panel and understand completely where the information came from." This topic came to light earlier on Tuesday when the panel's chairman, retired Army Gen. John Abizaid, stepped before Pentagon reporters to discuss the group's findings. Reporters questioned him on the 9/11 victims' remains after finding references to them in the panel's report. Abizaid said the references were meant to provide historical context and came mostly from "anecdotal evidence" from persons the panel interviewed. Panel members did not think this method of disposal was appropriate, noted Abizaid.
While Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.), the senior Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, does not see changes coming to the structure of the US nuclear deterrent anytime soon, there is potential in the years ahead to find savings in the nuclear force structure. "I don't see us eliminating any leg of the triad," he told reporters Thursday during a meeting in Washington, D.C. He added, "I think it's more a matter of finding savings." The United States has "a lot" of nuclear warheads, and Smith believes there are enough to meet the deterrent mission even with forthcoming reductions under the New START agreement with Russia. As for the modernization funds promised by the White House to the Senate in return for New START's passage, Smith indicated he believes those funds are up for debate. "I think we need to do modernization," he said. He continued, "Do we need to do it at the full amount of money that was discussed in the course of getting the START treaty passed? I don't know." The triad consists of ICBMs, heavy bombers, and submarine-launched ballistic missiles.
President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama hosted a dinner for veterans of the Iraq war and their families at the White House to honor them for their service and sacrifice. "Tonight, on behalf of Michelle and myself, on behalf of over 300 million Americans, we want to express those simple words that we can never say enough, and that's 'Thank you,'" said the President in welcoming the guests at Wednesday's special tribute. Among the 80 or so Iraq war veterans invited to the event was MSgt. Kevin Bullivant, an explosive ordnance disposal specialist assigned to the Utah Air National Guard's 151st Air Refueling Wing. "The opportunity to meet other members from other branches of service and hear their personal sacrifices is an honor," he said. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta attended the event as did Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey and the service Chiefs.
The US Virgin Islands Air National Guard's 285th Combat Communications Squadron is now the 285th Civil Engineering Squadron after a redesignation ceremony on St. Croix. Over the next two years, the squadron will convert to its new mission as a Prime Base Engineer Emergency Force, or Prime BEEF, unit. Squadron members will cross-train into new career fields and receive new equipment. "After two years, the unit must be ready to go to war, and is open for all Air National Guard and Air Force inspection cycles," said Capt. John Hult, squadron commander. Col. Jeffrey Buckley, the Virgin Islands Air Guard chief of staff, said the unit in its new role will "make sure there is running water when called upon. They'll build shelter where needed, and they'll fix roads and runways when required." The redesignation ceremony was on March 3.
F-15E pilot Lt. Col. Daren Sorenson, currently serving as staff director of the 414th Combat Training Squadron at Nellis AB, Nev., received his second Distinguished Flying Cross, recognized for his heroism in defending 50 coalition troops ambushed by insurgents in eastern Afghanistan last spring. Sorenson used his Strike Eagle's munitions, in concert with low-altitude demonstrations of force, to disperse the focused insurgent attack during the May 25, 2011 mission. He then successfully coordinated strikes on insurgent positions concealed in the cliffs and caves surrounding the coalition group, according to Nellis officials. Sorenson received the DFC during a ceremony at Nellis on March 2, reported the Las Vegas Review-Journal. The Air Force awarded him his first DFC for his actions during the early stages of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, when he located and helped destroy an armored division of the Iraqi Republican Guard, said the Nellis officials
Gen. Douglas Fraser, head of US Southern Command, said Wednesday he spends about half of his time focused on transnational crime, most of which revolves around the drug trade. However, the command is only able to interdict about 33 percent of the drugs that it knows passes through its area of responsibility—which encompasses Central and South America—because it simply doesn't have enough assets to stop more, Fraser told reporters in Washington, D.C. Part of the problem is that drug trafficking aircraft are landing in sovereign territory and Central American air forces don't have the capacity to respond, he said. "The [Drug Enforcement Agency] is providing some capacity to respond, but we are just limited in our ability to cover such large territories and get to the right place at the right time," he said. In fact, he said, the command's interdiction rate is actually going down, meaning more drugs are getting through. Fraser said drug smugglers "are moving in to areas beyond the Western hemisphere." He noted: "We are seeing increasing movement from Brazil to the northern parts of South America, down in to Argentina, into Western Africa, and Europe and the Middle East." SOUTHCOM also is seeing an increase in "precursors," such as methamphetamines, coming in from India and China, and then funneling through Mexico into the United States, he added.
