Schwartz: Reduce force structure, not airmen

[unhappycamper]

Schwartz: Reduce force structure, not airmen
By Michael Hoffman - Staff writer
Posted : Wednesday Oct 22, 2008 6:11:36 EDT

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz said Monday the service failed in its effort to save money to buy new aircraft by cutting 40,000 airmen from its force.

“We came down quite a bit and didn’t save a nickel,” Schwartz told airmen during a tour of Southwest Asia. “The reason that happened is because our personnel costs are going up. The most expensive component of our capability now is people. It used to be platforms. It’s now you and me.”

Defense Secretary Robert Gates halted the Air Force’s efforts this summer to cut its force to 316,500 airmen. The cuts were announced in 2005 to help pay to replace the Air Force’s aging fleet.

Now, instead of cutting end strength, the Air Force plans to add about 13,000 more airmen by 2010 with its end strength reaching 332,700, the general said.

To afford the aircraft recapitalization Schwartz said the Air Force might need to reduce its force structure. Reducing force structure could mean units would have to be cut to save money.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/10/airforce_schwartz_102108w/%2e