(Air Force Times) Backtalk: Air Force leaders must spend wisely

Air Force leaders must spend wisely
By Robert F. Dorr

Air Force Secretary-designate Michael Donley and Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz will need all the tools they can muster to keep the service running and to rejuvenate our aging aircraft fleet.

One tool that they won’t have is money.

By official estimates, your government in fiscal year 2009 will spend $482 billion more than it collects in revenue. No political candidate is in favor of raising taxes, and few Americans support the idea. The Air Force cannot expect to receive additional funds, nor can it save by any further reductions in personnel.

The Air Force, like the nation, is cash-strapped.

Some high-priority projects can’t wait. Troops must have a new air refueling tanker. The need for a new combat rescue helicopter may be a little less urgent, but not by much. Whatever decision is made about the future of the F-22 Raptor and the fighter force, it’s going to be costly.


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