Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Sequestrations Toll On The U.S. Military

From left, Army Lt. Gen. James L. Huggins, Gen. John F. Campbell and Maj. Gen. John M. Murray explain specific impending cuts and realignments within the Army's force structure following a briefing by U.S. Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, chief of staff of the Army, at the Pentagon, June 25, 2013. DOD photo by Glenn Fawcett

Sequester Already Taking Toll on Military -- Max Boot, Commentary

The news media have, by and large, stopped writing about sequestration and Congress has stopped agitating about it. So it stands to reason that it’s not that big of a deal, right? Surely the doomsayers who predicted grave consequences from willy-nilly cutting $1 trillion from the budget over the next decade–including more than $500 billion in defense cuts–have been proven wrong. Not quite. In fact, sequestration is already taking a serious toll on our military readiness–and the impact is only going to get worse over time.

In the Wall Street Journal, retired Air Force general David Deptula warns:

In the Air Force alone, more than 30 squadrons are now grounded, along with aircrews, and maintenance and training personnel. The U.S. military’s foremost air-combat training exercise—Red Flag—has been canceled for the rest of the year. The graduate schools for Air Force, Navy and Marine combat aviators have been canceled. Equipment testing and upgrades to F-22s, F-15s, F-16s and other aircraft have been delayed.


Read more ....

My Comment: Some in the military are voicing their concerns .... but they are facing a losing battle. For example .... the number one concern and focus for the Pentagon (this week) has been this story.

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