No money in defense bill for 11,550 airmen

[unhappycamper]

Budget shortage
Did anyone tell Congress the drawdown was over?


No money in defense bill for 11,550 airmen
By Sam LaGrone - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday Sep 27, 2008 7:43:15 EDT

In June, Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced the end of the Air Force drawdown.

But, apparently, no one told Congress.

A Sept. 24 joint congressional report on the 2009 defense bill says lawmakers have not authorized funds for more than 317,050 airmen.

That is considerably fewer than the 328,600 airmen Gates said he intended to keep in uniform through the end of fiscal 2009 — the approximate size of the force right now. Even so, there are no plans to cut 11,550 airmen.

The reason for the disconnect: Neither Gates’ office nor the Air Force ever went to Congress to formally ask for more airmen, according to congressional staffers.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/09/airforce_authorization_092708/%2e



uhc comment: Did anyone tell Sam we're in a financial meltdown?