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USAF Force Structure Hearing with the Council of Governors
Posted by Randy | July 12, 2012
As the Chairman of the House Armed Services Readiness Subcommittee, today I held a USAF force structure hearing with the Council of Governors. It is vital we understand the impact of the Department of Defense freeze on assets and personnel. The witnesses included Governor Terry Branstad of Iowa, Lieutenant General Christopher D. Miller, USAF, and Major General Timothy J. Lowenberg, USAF.

The hearing was held to receive testimony on Department of the Air Force aircraft force structure reductions, and discuss the implications of these budgetary cuts by the Department of Defense on sectors of the military, especially the National Guard.


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  • Thomas G commented on 7/12/2012
    We simply cannot continue the level of defense spending we currently have and the sooner we exit Afghanistan the better. I think we all hope the Israelis do not light the match and we stay on course with sanctions that are working. A calming needs to occur in the middle east with persistent resolve to avoid war at all costs. We need long term reduction in defense spending coupled with revenue generation and this means we MUST end the irresponsible tax rates of the top 2 percent that has done nothing of consequence leading to job creation. The record is unmistakeable, trickle down does not work and the public knows it. The greatest threat to America is the blackmail of Grover Norquist and the irresponsible representatives who will not respond when the facts have so dramatically changed. I cannot support any rethinking of the scheduled defense cuts without action on the revenue side, specifically an end to oil and gas industry subsidies and an end to the outrageous tax cuts for millionaires and billionaires.
  • Gregg J commented on 7/14/2012
    The AF has made questionable decisions the past few decades. This has multiplied problems being faced today. The B-1, CV-22 and F-22 are all unreliable compared to legacy aircraft and are maintenance intensive as well. These labor intensive platforms were brought online while shrinking AF manning about 40K positions. To reverse this negative trend, strict oversight of the acquisition and contracting process is needed outside the chain of command. This should prevent needlessly complicated weapons platforms from being requested without full justification while containing costs. Additionally, in my opinion, having active duty officers in charge of acquisition/contracting when these same officers will be looking to secure retirement jobs can create a serious conflict of interest. To continue allowing acquisition/contracting to go with a wink and a nod is not only wasteful; it is straining the enlisted force and comprising the AF’s ability to defend this great nation.
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