HASC startled by military shortfalls

The military services’ vice chiefs bemoaned to the House Armed Services Committee about the lack of funding to keep up with readiness, training and equipment caused by congressionally-imposed sequestration budget caps. The Navy only has 53 percent of its aircraft that can fly, according to Vice CNO Adm. William Moran. The Air Force is 723 fighter pilots short, claimed Vice chief of the Air Force, Gen. Stephen Wilson. "We're just flat-out out of money" to address those needs and provide more personnel and maintenance funding to plan for the future, said Moran at the Feb. 6 hearing. The AF is the smallest, oldest, the most poorly maintained, and the "least ready in our history," said Wilson. He urged Congress to repeal sequestration “before it’s too late.” The Marines faces a $9 billion backlog for infrastructure, according to Gen. Glenn Walters, assistant commandant, and needs more amphibious ships. HASC committee chairman Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) seemed taken aback by the testimonies. "The worst enemy we have is ourselves" to increase defense spending, said Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.). Rep. Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam) suggested that services could cut overhead and improve their bottom lines by shutting down unnecessary bases under a new round of the Base Closure and Realignment Commission. The testifying officers quickly agreed with the need for BRAC. The AF has about 25 percent and the Army has 21 percent excess capacity at bases. Navy and Marine Corps figures were not immediately available, however the sea-service has maintained for several years it does not have excess facilities. (Source: Military.com 02/07/17) Gulf Coast Note: NAS Meridian, Miss., was under consideration on multiple early rounds of BRAC. Amphibious ships are primarily being constructed by Ingalls Shipbuilding in Pascagoula.