Regarding the proposed cuts to DOD programs, this piece, published in the Baltimore Sun, brings you another view: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/opinion/oped/bal-op.gates29apr29,0,3327624.story
This second piece is a bit disturbing. It appeared in the Wall Street Journal and talks about links between Hezbollah (meaning Iran) and Egypt. If you recall, Hezbollah is dedicated to the eradication of Israel. It is listed on the State Department list of terrorist organizations, and it is a very dangerous organization. It presently does not target Americans … but if it begins to do so, it has been characterized as "Al Qaeda on steroids." If it sets its sights on Egypt - as outlined in this piece, then there is real trouble brewing. You can find the piece at: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB124087394756961155.html
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Chinese & Australian strategies add perspective to US defense needs
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, Civic leaders, and DOCA members, a couple of items to bring to your attention.
First, Australia has just released a new White Paper. I came across it because of a Wall Street Journal editorial where the author says, "In the preface to a sweeping defense review released Saturday, Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon writes: 'The biggest changes to our outlook . . . have been the rise of China, the emergence of India and the beginning of the end of the so-called unipolar moment; the almost two-decade-long period in which the pre-eminence of our principal ally, the United States, was without question.'"
A link to the editorial can be found here.
A link to the entire White paper is here.
As I read it, I am reminded that most nations of the world publish Defense White Papers. It contributes to stability for all countries to publish what they think about defense. For example, here is China's most recent White paper.
Second, GTMO has been in the news recently. I waited for the issue to die down a bit before bringing you some information on it. Here are a couple of pieces that I think have merit:
One link is by Senators Graham (a former USAF JAG) and McCain (who has a unique perspective on POW/detainee issues.
The second link is by Charles Krauthammer … and is a bit political … but brings you a viewpoint that you may not have considered.
For your consideration.
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, Civic leaders, and DOCA members, a couple of items to bring to your attention.
First, Australia has just released a new White Paper. I came across it because of a Wall Street Journal editorial where the author says, "In the preface to a sweeping defense review released Saturday, Australian Defense Minister Joel Fitzgibbon writes: 'The biggest changes to our outlook . . . have been the rise of China, the emergence of India and the beginning of the end of the so-called unipolar moment; the almost two-decade-long period in which the pre-eminence of our principal ally, the United States, was without question.'"
A link to the editorial can be found here.
A link to the entire White paper is here.
As I read it, I am reminded that most nations of the world publish Defense White Papers. It contributes to stability for all countries to publish what they think about defense. For example, here is China's most recent White paper.
Second, GTMO has been in the news recently. I waited for the issue to die down a bit before bringing you some information on it. Here are a couple of pieces that I think have merit:
One link is by Senators Graham (a former USAF JAG) and McCain (who has a unique perspective on POW/detainee issues.
The second link is by Charles Krauthammer … and is a bit political … but brings you a viewpoint that you may not have considered.
For your consideration.
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Thursday, May 14, 2009
AFA provides link to Hill hearings
AFA Members, for those of you interested in following hearings in front of key committees, we have a hearings schedule on our website. It is updated twice per week … and for the House Armed Services (HASC) and Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), you can hear the audio … either live or archived. You can also see the video … but it takes a lot of bandwidth.
Of note, the Air Force Posture hearings begin next week. Secretary Donley and Gen Schwartz will testify:
HASC – 19 May
SASC – 21 May
SAC-D – 4 Jun
HAC-D – 10 Jun
For your consideration.
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Of note, the Air Force Posture hearings begin next week. Secretary Donley and Gen Schwartz will testify:
HASC – 19 May
SASC – 21 May
SAC-D – 4 Jun
HAC-D – 10 Jun
For your consideration.
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Too Few Raptors, Too Many Deployments
Too Few Raptors, Too Many Deployments
If anyone wants to know what having only 186 F-22s means, they need look no further than today’s airforce-magazine.com's "Daily Report." Halting production to 186 F-22s means only about 100 combat coded F-22s to support operations around the world. This means the F-22 will be deployed on a regular basis to fulfill commitments in several theaters of operations.
Raptors Heading Back to Pacific: Contingents of F-22s from Langley AFB, Va., and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, will be heading to Japan and Guam, respectively, this month for four-month stints as part of a normal rotation of US forces in the Pacific region. Plans call for 12 Raptors from Langley’s 94th Fighter Squadron to deploy to Kadena AB, Japan, and another dozen from Elmendorf’s 525th FS to go to Andersen AFB, Guam, 13th Air Force said in a release May 11. More than 500 personnel will accompany these aircraft. These two deployments will be the fifth and sixth time that Raptors have supported US Pacific Command theater security packages in the Western Pacific since February 2007. They follow the mid-April departures of 12 F-22s belonging to Langley’s 27th FS from Kadena and 14 Raptors of Elmendorf’s 90th FS from Andersen after three-month stays.
Seems we are going to do to the F-22 what was done to the F-15 and F-16 over the last nineteen years and continually abuse these aircraft and crews until they start reaching their breaking points and remember, there are no more F-22s in production.
If anyone wants to know what having only 186 F-22s means, they need look no further than today’s airforce-magazine.com's "Daily Report." Halting production to 186 F-22s means only about 100 combat coded F-22s to support operations around the world. This means the F-22 will be deployed on a regular basis to fulfill commitments in several theaters of operations.
Raptors Heading Back to Pacific: Contingents of F-22s from Langley AFB, Va., and Elmendorf AFB, Alaska, will be heading to Japan and Guam, respectively, this month for four-month stints as part of a normal rotation of US forces in the Pacific region. Plans call for 12 Raptors from Langley’s 94th Fighter Squadron to deploy to Kadena AB, Japan, and another dozen from Elmendorf’s 525th FS to go to Andersen AFB, Guam, 13th Air Force said in a release May 11. More than 500 personnel will accompany these aircraft. These two deployments will be the fifth and sixth time that Raptors have supported US Pacific Command theater security packages in the Western Pacific since February 2007. They follow the mid-April departures of 12 F-22s belonging to Langley’s 27th FS from Kadena and 14 Raptors of Elmendorf’s 90th FS from Andersen after three-month stays.
Seems we are going to do to the F-22 what was done to the F-15 and F-16 over the last nineteen years and continually abuse these aircraft and crews until they start reaching their breaking points and remember, there are no more F-22s in production.
Straight Talk from a Chief
Sometimes we receive emails full of wisdom and born out of experience and service to our nation. We would like to highlight this one … from a retired Chief Master Sergeant - CMSgt (Ret) William (Hack) Alexander, Iowa Park, Texas.
Several things to notice from this simple note. First the author is informed - not only about the Air Force - but all the Services. He talks with various groups about national issues. He is passionately in favor of a strong national defense, … and he was a maintainer in the Air Force … and struggled with aging equipment. Finally, he writes simply and in a straight-forward manner … as only a maintainer and a chief would. You can find them here: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2009/edop_5-5-09.asp
Several things to notice from this simple note. First the author is informed - not only about the Air Force - but all the Services. He talks with various groups about national issues. He is passionately in favor of a strong national defense, … and he was a maintainer in the Air Force … and struggled with aging equipment. Finally, he writes simply and in a straight-forward manner … as only a maintainer and a chief would. You can find them here: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2009/edop_5-5-09.asp
Friday, May 8, 2009
AFA Examines the Defense Budget & AF Cuts
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Here is a link to a briefing on the AF budget -- macro view. It is an excellent description of the President's Budget request.
This second link provides a more detailed look at the entire 2010 Defense Budget.
Finally, AFA has a few thoughts on this budget. A starting document would be our press release.
For your consideration,
Mike
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Here is a link to a briefing on the AF budget -- macro view. It is an excellent description of the President's Budget request.
This second link provides a more detailed look at the entire 2010 Defense Budget.
Finally, AFA has a few thoughts on this budget. A starting document would be our press release.
For your consideration,
Mike
Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
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