Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz delivers comments about the new defense strategy to members of the media in the Pentagon on Jan. 27, 2012. Throughout the ongoing budget process, Schwartz said, the Air Force will remain committed to its ongoing responsibilities to provide globally-postured, regionally-tailorable, full-spectrum airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz delivers comments about the new defense strategy to members of the media in the Pentagon on Jan. 27, 2012. Throughout the ongoing budget process, Schwartz said, the Air Force will remain committed to its ongoing responsibilities to provide globally-postured, regionally-tailorable, full-spectrum airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz delivers comments about the new defense strategy to members of the media in the Pentagon on Jan. 27, 2012. Throughout the ongoing budget process, Schwartz said, the Air Force will remain committed to its ongoing responsibilities to provide globally-postured, regionally-tailorable, full-spectrum airpower. (U.S. Air Force photo/Scott M. Ash)
by Tech. Sgt. Richard A. Williams Jr.
Air Force Public Affairs Agency
1/27/2012 - WASHINGTON (AFNS) -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz explained the service's contributions to the new Defense Department strategy during a Pentagon press briefing here Jan. 27.
Schwartz said that as the Air Force approaches future constrained budgets, service officials will trade size for quality in order to ensure a ready force.
"We will be a smaller but superb force that maintains our agility, our flexibility and readiness to engage a full range of contingencies and threats," Schwartz said in the news conference, which followed the Defense Department's major budget decisions briefings on Jan. 26.
With Airmen regularly serving jointly and deploying with their coalition counterparts, the Air Force must ensure its unique contributions to national security are preserved, he added.
"Air Force capabilities are clearly instrumental to the major priorities of the new defense strategic guidance, such as deterring and defeating aggression, power projection in anti-access and area-denial environments, preventing the spread of weapons of mass destruction, space and cyber operations, and strategic deterrence," Schwartz said.
Future plans call for the Air Force to reduce its total force end strength by approximately 10,000 personnel, the general said. The changes will be tied to reductions in aircraft and other force structure, and are not being made to simply save money, he added.
Confronted by a complex security environment and significant reduction in defense resources, the Air Force determined that the best path forward was to become smaller in order to maintain and protect a high-quality force, Schwartz said.
"To avoid a hollow force, we must and will protect readiness at any force level and strengthen our integration of the total force team of active, Guard and Reserve Airmen," Schwartz said. "It is our intent, indeed our obligation, to the American people and our Airmen that we will remain the world's finest Air Force in the years and decades to come."
Schwartz said the Air Force supports a new round of base realignment and closures as a way to reduce excess infrastructure, and echoed comments from senior defense officials that the Block 30 version of Global Hawk would be terminated.
"The reality is that the Global Hawk is not less expensive to operate than the U-2," Schwartz said, confirming that the Air Force would continue to use the U-2 rather than the Global Hawk Block 30 as a way to reduce costs. "And in many respects, the Global Hawk Block 30 system is not as capable, from a sensor point of view, as the U-2."
Schwartz also touched on the importance of the nuclear triad, stating "the diversity, the variety and the attributes associated with each leg of the triad actually reinforce each other to a great degree."
Other key programs and investment priorities for the Air Force include the KC-46A tanker, F-35 Lightning II and the future long-range strike bomber, Schwartz said.
"The bottom line is these are important capabilities for the nation and ones that we will make sacrifices in other areas to sustain," the general said.
Schwartz ended the news conference by touching on the importance of America's servicemembers, and their families, to the success of the armed forces.
"I would just like to remind everyone that the real power of our Air Force, like our sister services, is our people, and not only in the excellence that they strive to provide, but also in the commitment that their families offer us on a daily basis," Schwartz said.
Comments
3/24/2012 1:36:16 PM ET Air Force needs to look how the Marine Corps Aviation units are structured. All maintence squadrons should be placed back into ops squadrons. Make the enlisted aircrews as leadership and Pilots as CO's, XO's, MO's. Stop these ridculous CBT's that are costly in production and wasted time and do not build leadership and public speaking abilities. It has always appeared that the air force exsists to provide civilian jobs for locals. Go to a marine base and notice how few civilian jobs there are. Travis just wasted hundreds of thousands on a remodel for the chowhall knowing full well we are in a budget crunch. If that doesn't fall under fraud, waste and abuse, I dont know what does.
justin, travis
2/10/2012 9:11:04 AM ET Continually increasing PT test standards and mandatory punitive actions are cowardly ways to shape the force. But unfortunately it is a result of the historically inflated EPR system. The continual failure of AF leaders to identify mediocre and subpar duty performance has forced PT to become disproportionally weighed. This only creates a more skinny group of a mix of excellent mediocre and subpar airmen.
KBarbour, Macdill AFB
2/10/2012 8:05:47 AM ET Anyone see any mention of cuts to welfare It seems like all the sacrifice is on the backs of the working man serving or not.
Slim, PAFB
2/9/2012 10:34:38 AM ET This is madness. At what point do we realize that with all the budget cuts and personnel cuts we won't be able to perform specific missions. We are cutting funds but are saying we are going to be leaner and more lethal. I'm sorry but That Dog Don't Hunt. By saying we're cutting funds but focusing on making the forces stronger your essentially saying we are 'Doing More with Less.' Technology only gets more expensive whereas personnel cost are relatively the same. When do we realize that the technological costs will inhibit AF personnel from doing their jobs because of lack of personnel
Lt anonymous, Tinker AFB
2/8/2012 1:22:47 PM ET we need a president that won't allow any cuts in the military budget and its work force but uses those cuts on big firms and financial institutions. sorry but if you start cutting the budget for your military and cut down personnel then ur only adding loop holes to national security. military needs to be rich in personnel and budget so it can grow train hard be properly equipped ---im still waiting on sum chem gear and weather gear cuz my unit has no money--- and protect its borders
SrA iKnow, NM
2/3/2012 6:30:01 PM ET I think we do a lot MORE as a Force with LESS officers LESS SNCOs LESS Tops in Blues LESS AF Band and LESS pointless positions. I can't count how many SNCOs or Officers I've worked with in both my home shop and abroad that do absolutely nothing but watch movies all day at a computer and collect more than double my annual pay. While we're at it let's do MORE with LESS of the pointless programs like the disgustingly corrupt EPR system.
A1c Noface, Undisclosed Location in Southwest Asia
2/3/2012 1:07:07 PM ET 13YRairMan: Better off now-a-days with the TSP. What, you didn't contribute? Then you are out of luck. Many-many moons ago we didn't even have that. At least you CAN take something with you unless you didn't contribute.
Prior, SJAFB
2/3/2012 11:57:05 AM ET To the SSGT guy slamming the civilian workforce The grass is always greener isn't it Take it from a guy who was 10 years AD and is now CIVAFRES my 60K salary doesn't even come close how good things were whe I was active duty AF yet I put in the same hours and my coworkers do the same. Not complaining but don't judge the thousands based on on the conduct of eight. Just do your job as an NCO and get them disciplined or fired for their performance.
The Z, Travis AFB
2/3/2012 11:42:56 AM ET Agility flexibility and readiness with a superb but smaller force in a post-911 world with the full range of emerging threats in Asia and the global commitment levels for all Airmen not decreasing anytime soon. That's essentially what I got from it. Sounds a lot like the early 1990s. Meeting the demands of a constrained budget is one thing getting things right in our own house in addition to the balance sheet is another. I'm selfish I want to see BOTH. This is what I hope for the AF long after I am gone.
MSgt Henry Thomas, BLV
2/2/2012 4:01:24 PM ET Firstly we need to cut all these flat screen purchases and the end of FY balloon spending. At the stroke of midnight in October some units have to spend tens of thousands of dollars in hours buying crap for their shops. Secondly re-arrange training missions to make sense no more empty aircraft burning holes in the sky put cargo on them with a destination. Lastly motivate Airmen to do their jobs and work the hours not volunteering for EPR bullets. We don't have money for tools why should we use tax payers man hours for too many volunteer events. Futhermore audit Wings and squadron for bad spending practices as do private firms. Fly Budget win.
TSGT Can't Understand, Travis
2/2/2012 3:47:50 PM ET Any chance they will bring back the 15 YR Retirement Option I am just nervous as if I don't make E6 this year or next year I will be forced out with nothing to show for my 15 years of service. I am a horrible test taker and now forced in having to get promoted again just to retire. I feel that it is crazy to not offer those of us that are forced out at 15 years with nothing.
13YRairMan, Peterson
2/2/2012 9:34:32 AM ET While this all sounds great it is not great for the Air Force or our country. I believe there are alot of things to be done to bring the budget to where it needs to be but cutting troops just to acheive it is only a short term solution at best. There are many areas both militarily and in the civilian work force where we could reduce the overall budget without reducing size just to make numbers for now.For every complex problem there is a simple solution....And its wrong
Al, Pittsburgh pa
2/1/2012 3:07:13 PM ET Thank you TSGT JOE. I spent 2 years in the DV lounge at Andrews AFB before I left the service. The amount of people on these generals' staffs is an abomination I never once saw a general carry god forbid his OWN luggage. Now I saw plenty MOC's that carried their own luggage but never a general officer. Once Senator Kerry came in all by himself for a trip carrying his own briefcase. I couldn't believe it. Then 1-star General so-and-so comes in with his wife and a 6-person entourage. Epic Fail
Capt Glad I got out When I did, Capitol Beltway
2/1/2012 2:42:31 PM ET Leadership has lost contact with reality and the comments on this story prove my point. LtCol John Doe, all I have to say is really come on man. We are done with more with less. Leadership has to respond with realistic missions that match the capability. STOP telling your boss yes. I have watched my duty section shrink by over 18 people over the last year and they were probably the best of the crop. They are smart enough to realize that their talents are better suited for govt contracting at 3 times the salary without having to deal with the antiquated EPR system whole person concept. What the separation process has not destroyed the PT program picks up. The most ridiculous standards I have seen in my 20 years. It neither makes us more fit to fight or prepared to do our jobs better. As far as I can tell, it targets my best people and shows them the door. People want to serve their country and do their best to be a part of something bigger. Let them do their jobs.
MSgt K, Georgia
2/1/2012 12:23:25 PM ET SSGT @ USAF, So apparently the ones left behind to do the work after the ones who get free medical and dental for life and other ENTITLEMENTS for lifeleave after their 6 hour shift for the day to hide out at appointments and PT are the real problem. Wake up
WORKER, USAF
2/1/2012 12:00:12 PM ET SSgt, if you have civilians sitting around watching TV, you have a legit complaint. A good supervisor would not allow this to happen. I'd be willing to bet you are exaggerating. Don't fault them for collecting a pension and disability in addition to their paycheck... they earned it something you haven't done yet. And BTW it's cheaper to pay a civilian than a SSgt when you factor in housing BAS medical education etc. All the civilians I ever worked with were hard working and taught me a lot. I can't say I learned much from whiny SSgts who think they're above their civilian counterparts. So WHO is the problem with the military
DC, MD
2/1/2012 11:30:15 AM ET Keep cutting, good sir. One airman with a 90 PT score, a properly-worn reflective belt and high motivation for success is all that it takes to put warheads on foreheads. Aim High FlyFightWin
RO, MD
2/1/2012 7:04:26 AM ET It doesn't take a rocket scientist to understand that we are facing tough financial times. We can lay the blame where ever we like but the truth of the matter is that it is going to fall on all of us to fix the problem. We need to avoid pointing fingers and taking pot shots at other services or those within our own Air Force. We need to make sure that our own back yards are in order and running as efficiently as possible. Anyone that has been in long enough knows that this is part of a regular cycle tear down when money is tight or need is diminished followed by another buildup when money flows or need increases. It's not easy and it's not fun but it's a fact of life.
CMSgt Mike Zimmerman, Niagara Falls ARS NY
2/1/2012 7:03:41 AM ET SSgt d hit nailed it. If everyone would concentrate on the job theye were trained to do instead of volunteering just to fill a promotion square we wouldn't have to worry about doing more with less. The whole person concept is woefully outdated and needs to go away.
FB, Home
2/1/2012 12:52:26 AM ET Leadership is so disconnected that it's not even funny anymore. The average Airman deploys once every 3yrs...I've been deploying to bare-base combat situations since 911 and have lost count on what number deployment this is for me. And I GLADLY go But because I haven't made TSgt yet apparently my service and experience is no longer required. Meanwhile some skinny kid who downs Monsters stares at CPU screens for 7hrs a day and can't do 3 real pull-ups and complains about deploying to Manas for 6mosis what we've decided our combat Airmen Along with the waste that is Tops in Blue continuing uniform issues and studies and everything else my fellow Airmen have stated before But my skills sacrifice and willingness to do and go where I'm needed isn't needed anymore Way to stay tuned to what the Force really needs Leaders.
REAL Combat Amn, SWA
1/31/2012 3:53:17 PM ET Keep it coming guys. I know we can lose about 8 people from our shop and still get the job done. All they do is sit around and watch price is right all day with thier 60K a year salary. If you don't know what i mean take a look at your worthless civilian work force. They are bringing down the USA. Retirement checks medical benifits disabilty money and then a GS or WS pay check. Sorry civilians but you are the problem with the military. Go get a job that doent milk the teet of the military.
SSgt, USAF
1/31/2012 3:38:34 PM ET What about cutting things like golf courses bowling alleys and on base clubs The vast majority of these facilities are money losing businesses year after year. They have civilian equivalents that easily accessible at most bases. They are morale services but wouldn't morale better be served knowing that less airmen are being cut
Lt Anonymous, NASWF
1/31/2012 1:46:12 PM ET The cuts in the defense budget that have already occurred and those that are planned will cut into the muscle and not just the fat. The military leaders are following the company line stating these cuts won't damage the military's ability to defend the US interests around the world. That might be the case if every other country were making the same cuts. That isn't happening. China continues to pour more and more money into upgrading its military. It won't be long until we will not be able to meet a threat from China no matter what the generals say.
Jerry, Oklahoma
1/31/2012 1:31:05 PM ET Folks history repeats its self time after time. Back in 1990-1991 there was a cutback on E5 and E6. Facts are that after every war or wars there is a draw down. It's hard to see good airmen leave but if they are trained well jobs on the outside will be easy to find.
John Lackey MSGT Retired, Ft Leonardwood MO
1/31/2012 9:56:56 AM ET I find it interesting that Gen Schwartz says changes will be tied to reductions in aircraft and other force structure and are not being made to simply save money while Defense Secretary Leon Panetta says the service intends to cut five A-10 tactical squadrons and two other squadrons as part of an effort to cut close to 500 billion from the Defense Departments budget. At least back in 2006 Lt. Gen. Brady was upfront about it saying that the money saved from personnel cuts will go toward recapitalizing the service's aging aircraft and equipment. Top leaders say our people will continue to be our most valuable asset. Apparently our value is realized when we are cut to recapitalize other programs.
Sarge, Robins
1/31/2012 9:00:05 AM ET How about we start cutting from the top with all the excess generals' aides and staffs of over 100, huge houses, lavish parties, spouse and children shopping sprees with Airmen as chauffers and bag-carriers, and even bigger paychecks. Seems to me there are a lot more generals out there than there are Airmen to be led nowadays. Start the clean-up at the top and you're going to get A LOT of extra money for the programs that need it.
TSgt. Joe, SWA
1/31/2012 2:28:27 AM ET Sir, I am at a disconnect at how the U2 costs less to operate than the Global Hawk. The Global Hawk is all software, right? The U2 is not outdated with upgrade s but still is a legacy airframe. Can I get a breakdown of how an almost autonomous system is less cost effective than an aircraft with a human being in it? I mean you still have to pay the major, right?
TP, CAFB
1/30/2012 8:45:39 PM ET We need to remove the volunteer section of EPRs as we have too many airman that believe volunteering is their AFSC. Or we could just get rid of 10,000 of our career volunteers and get along with little to no change because while there out volunteering, the rest of the Air Force is picking up their slack. No doubt they make rank the fastest because they look great on paper, but they haven't got a clue as to perform their own job. Bottom line with 10,000 less people, we're going to need them in their duty sections working and not out stuffing food baskets or doing car washes. Let's be realistic, extras that deviate too far from the mission is a luxury we already no longer have. This has been a major hindrance on our force and should be dealt with promptly.
SSgt d, Korea
1/30/2012 8:19:58 PM ET Please tell me Tops in Blues is getting cut. I've had to work a few shows to support- half the seats were empty and no one from the hosting bases wanted them there. Also, make TA only available to those who pass their PT test.
Lt John Doe, CA
1/30/2012 2:44:23 PM ET It has taken 10 years and how many billions of dollars to just now realize what the maintainers have been saying all along about the Global Hawk program? It was junk when it was built and then fielded without being tested. Good idea in theory, but poorly researched and executed.
TSgt, Beale
1/29/2012 3:45:28 AM ET The AF will get along just fine with the Creed, Tops in Blue and the Bands.
TSgt Picka, MDL
1/28/2012 11:22:51 PM ET Easy for all these high ranking that are about retire how much they appreciate us as we get rid of more and more hardworking people in our Air Force. All the branches are going reducing numbers and with the economy no better just watch the unemployment rate skyrocket. Guess this part of the sacrifices our so-called President says we have to make.
Dane, Colorado
1/28/2012 8:42:07 PM ET Fess Up that we crossed the Do More With Less line over a decade ago and any smaller a force will find it impossible to maintain our current - or desired - agility flexibility and readiness to engage a full range of contingencies and threats. Military leaders will have to be honest with our civilian leaders and the U.S. population; we don't have the capacity do everything they want - or that we have said we could do - any longer. Prioritize what's important for us to do, hang a realistic pricetag on those things and, if needs exceed capabilities, let our citizens vote with their pocketbooks for what they want us to do - or not do.
GARY, D.C.
1/28/2012 4:07:36 AM ET Do more with less. Yet we still have the AF Band, Tops in Blue and the Thunderbirds to fund. Shouldn't those be the first things we cut instead of personnel?
Sgt Snuffy, SWA
1/28/2012 3:00:19 AM ET Smaller waists equals smaller force right? No need to cut end strength. Our new skinnier, more fit force eats less, can be more comfortable in smaller dorms/hotels/apartments and needs less material for their uniforms.I finally understand the waist measurement in our PT tests.
Mike, WA
1/27/2012 8:44:39 PM ET I relaize how difficult it is going to be for AF Leaderhip to remain Positive for I well recall the let-down in 1945 when the Peace Dividend was cashed in and our B-29's stood on the ramp witj empty fuel tanks and air-crews scrambled for fight time. So many good troops chose to leave the service for they knew that promotions would be non-existant during the budget crunch. Your efforts to communicate the process down the line will be much appreciated, I ssure you.
