House Armed Services Committee
Chairman Skelton's opening statement--February 28, 2007
"Today, the full committee continues its review of the military services' fiscal year 2008 budget requests with the Air Force.
"I am pleased to welcome back Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff General T. Michael Moseley to testify on the Air Force's Fiscal Year 2008 budget request. We thank you, and all Air Force military and civilian members, for your continued dedication and service to our country.
"Of its more than 690,000 military and civilian personnel, the Air Force has over 61,000 personnel forward-based in the Pacific and Europe. Additionally, 25,000 personnel and more than 250 aircraft are forward deployed in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility to support Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). In addition to their traditional combat role of providing air support, 7,700 Air Force personnel have supplemented functions on the ground in duties usually performed by the Army and Marine Corps, including detainee operations, interpreters, convoy operations, explosive ordnance disposal and police training.
"We know our Air Force is very much a service at war and in combat. The Air Force has flown over 430,000 sorties in support of OEF and OIF. Since 9/11/01, that number represents 82 percent of all OIF sorties and 78 percent of all OEF sorties and includes over 86,000 total close air support sorties and 800 strike sorties in the past six months with the expenditure of 38,000 guided and non-guided munitions. This is only some of what our forces are doing of which we are so proud.
"But the pace of operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and elsewhere has stressed the ability of the Air Force to man, operate, maintain, and modernize its ten Air Expeditionary Forces.
"The Air Force fiscal year 2008 annual budget request is $110.7 billion, an increase of $6.2 billion from last year, or about six percent. This budget request is accompanied by a fiscal year 2007 Global War on Terrorism Supplemental request appropriation of $17.2 billion as well as a 2008 war request of $17.3 billion. With all supplemental funding considered, the Air Force budget would grow from $121.7 billion in fiscal year 2007 to $128.0 billion in 2008, a 5.2 percent increase.
"It is a significant budget, but this is still a force with challenges and increased risk. Readiness to meet Air Force current missions has declined 17 percent since 2001 as a result of the high operations tempo; increased operations costs for fuel, spare parts, and utilities; and the higher cost of supporting older aircraft fleets. Fourteen percent of the Air Force's fleet is either grounded or has mission-limiting restrictions. The budget request for 1.5 million flying hours is a ten percent reduction in hours to train our pilots since last year. Depot purchased equipment maintenance, which accomplishes depot-level repairs on aircraft and engines, is funded at only 74 percent of the amount needed.
"Recently, the Air Force informed the committee of its unfunded requirements for fiscal year 2008 which total $16.9 billion, a record amount of Air Force unfunded requirements since I was first elected to Congress in 1976. Some of the risk factors contained in the Air Force budget request could be mitigated with additional funding.
"The committee notes that the Air Force has accepted risk in readiness to provide for its top modernization priorities which include the KC-X tanker to replace the aging aerial refueling tanker fleet; the CSAR-X combat search and rescue helicopter to replace the aging HH-60G fleet; space situational awareness and early warning programs; and the F-35A Joint Strike Fighter.
"Next Generation Long Range Strike aircraft--a new bomber-clearly remains a top priority and we need to get there. We also believe that investments in our current B-52, B-1, and especially the B-2 bomber fleets are vitally important. It could be argued that the B-2 is the "heart and soul" of the Air Force mission as the only long-range strike aircraft that can deliver significant quantities of munitions by penetrating modern integrated air defense systems.
"On the personnel side, while this budget makes improvements to compensation with a three percent pay raise, it also includes personnel reductions of 5,600 in the active duty force, 7,400 in the Air Force Reserve, and 300 in the Air National Guard. We have learned that fighting the War on Terrorism will require more people, not less. The Army budget request includes an increase of 65,000 soldiers for fiscal year 2008, and the Marine Corps makes a similar request for 27,000 additional Marines. The Air Force personnel decreases continue the downward glide-slope of airmen which began in 2004 and are projected to end in 2009 with 65,000 fewer personnel. If we are to expect that the Air Force will provide the same amount of global power and global reach to joint forces, I believe that personnel reductions of this magnitude should be reconsidered in this budget and in future years.
"I am pleased to note that the Air Force's posture statement includes a short discussion of professional military education, or PME, for both officers and enlisted personnel. The best way to hedge against future challenges and uncertainties is to ensure that our Air Force has the smartest and most educated airmen possible who are able to adapt to the changes in strategy, doctrine, concepts of operation, and force employment that most certainly lie ahead.
"Finally, I want recognize that September 18, 2007, will mark the 60th anniversary of the creation of our independent United States Air Force. The committee congratulates the Air Force and its military and civilian members, past and present, on their progress and achievements.
"I now recognize the committee's ranking Republican, Mr. Hunter, for any remarks he may wish to make."
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