SSG Norman Lihou 503144 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Combatant Commander Requirements<br /><br />James said the request for $10 billion in additional funding is based on combatant commander requirements and the need for Air Force support to joint operations worldwide.<br /><br />The Air Force is the smallest it's been since it was established in 1947, James said. And it has a lot of older aircraft, while the demand for air support remains high.<br /><br />"The average age of our Air Force [airmen] is about 27 years old but there are many [aircraft] fleets that are substantially older than that," James said. "More than half of our combat air forces … are not sufficiently ready for a high-end fight."<br /><br />James said the Air Force provides two-thirds of the support to maintain the United States' nuclear arsenal. Airmen also perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, she added, and carry out strike missions in Iraq and Syria to support the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.<br /><br />Read the rest at:<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2015/02/mil-150227-afps06.htm">http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2015/02/mil-150227-afps06.htm</a> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> <img src="https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/009/724/qrc/global-security.gif?1443034831"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2015/02/mil-150227-afps06.htm">James: In-Demand Air Force Experiences Strain</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description">WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2015 – The Air Force is requesting $10 billion above what sequestration-level funding provides in order to support its global responsibilities, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James told members of the House Appropriations Committee&#39;s defense subcommittee here today.</p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div> 2015-02-28T11:37:16-05:00 SSG Norman Lihou 503144

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Combatant Commander Requirements<br /><br />James said the request for $10 billion in additional funding is based on combatant commander requirements and the need for Air Force support to joint operations worldwide.<br /><br />The Air Force is the smallest it's been since it was established in 1947, James said. And it has a lot of older aircraft, while the demand for air support remains high.<br /><br />"The average age of our Air Force [airmen] is about 27 years old but there are many [aircraft] fleets that are substantially older than that," James said. "More than half of our combat air forces … are not sufficiently ready for a high-end fight."<br /><br />James said the Air Force provides two-thirds of the support to maintain the United States' nuclear arsenal. Airmen also perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, she added, and carry out strike missions in Iraq and Syria to support the fight against the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.<br /><br />Read the rest at:<br /><a target="_blank" href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2015/02/mil-150227-afps06.htm">http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2015/02/mil-150227-afps06.htm</a> <div class="pta-link-card answers-template-image type-default"> <div class="pta-link-card-picture"> <img src="https://d26horl2n8pviu.cloudfront.net/link_data_pictures/images/000/009/724/qrc/global-security.gif?1443034831"> </div> <div class="pta-link-card-content"> <p class="pta-link-card-title"> <a target="blank" href="http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/news/2015/02/mil-150227-afps06.htm">James: In-Demand Air Force Experiences Strain</a> </p> <p class="pta-link-card-description">WASHINGTON, Feb. 27, 2015 – The Air Force is requesting $10 billion above what sequestration-level funding provides in order to support its global responsibilities, Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James told members of the House Appropriations Committee&#39;s defense subcommittee here today.</p> </div> <div class="clearfix"></div> </div>

2015-02-28T11:37:16-05:00 2015-02-28T11:37:16-05:00 CW5 Private RallyPoint Member 509728

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I especially like this interview and this Secretary of the Air Force. (Much like I think the Marine Corps Commandant is the tops. Not to mention the Army's senior leaders.) Consider these quotes from Secretary James:<br /><br />"Sequestration needs to be lifted, lifted permanently,"<br /><br />"Taking care of people is a top Air Force priority."<br /><br />"We have to stop this downsizing; enough is enough. ... We need to upsize."<br /><br />"Your United States Air Force is still the best on the planet, but we mustn't take that for granted because we are a force under strain. ... And we mustn't let our edge slip away."<br /><br />In my humble opinion, Secretary James is advocating for the Air Force in a big way. And that's good, because it's an important aspect of her job.

2015-03-03T18:27:57-05:00 2015-03-03T18:27:57-05:00 2015-02-28T11:37:16-05:00