About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline

LOG IN
LOG IN


1 (2008)

handle is hein.cbhear/fdsysafqg0001 and id is 1 raw text is: AUT-ENTICATED US. GOVERNMENT INFORMATION GP DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE APPROPRIATIONS FOR FISCAL YEAR 2008 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 21, 2007 U.S. SENATE, SUBCOMMITTEE OF THE COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS, Washington, DC. The subcommittee met at 10:33 a.m., in room SD-192, Dirksen Senate Office Building, Hon. Daniel K. Inouye (chairman) pre- siding. Present: Senators Inouye, Leahy, Dorgan, Murray, Stevens, Cochran, Domenici, Bond, and Shelby. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY STATEMENT OF HON. MICHAEL W. WYNNE, SECRETARY STATEMENT OF SENATOR DANIEL K. INOUYE Senator INOUYE. Today we welcome the Honorable Michael Wynne, Secretary of the Air Force, and General Michael Moseley, the Air Force Chief of Staff. Gentlemen, the subcommittee thanks you for being here today as we review the budget request for fiscal year 2008. Your fiscal year 2008 base budget request is $137 billion, a mod- est increase of $8 billion over the last year. The subcommittee recognizes the priorities of the Air Force, of fighting and winning the long war on terror, taking good care of the airmen and their families, and beginning a significant effort to recapitalize and modernize the U.S. Air Force. We also recognize the challenges associated with recapitalizing, while trying to modernize the existing fleet, and maintain readi- ness at the same time. With the average age of the fleet being 26 years old, it is impera- tive to find the correct balance between recapitalization with new inventory, modernization for existing assets, and readiness in order for the Air Force to posture itself for the future. I'd like to take this opportunity to remind everyone of the great support the Air Force is providing for Operation Noble Eagle (ONE) here, and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) and Oper- ation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) overseas. (1)