Air Force Pinched by Iraq Ground War

[babylonsister]

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/huff-wires/20070424/air-force-woes


Air Force Pinched by Iraq Ground War

TOM RAUM | AP | April 24, 2007 07:00 PM EST


WASHINGTON — The Air Force's top general expressed frustration on Tuesday with the reassignment of troops under his command to ground jobs for which they were not trained, ranging from guarding prisoners to driving trucks and typing.

Gen. Michael Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff, said that over 20,000 airmen have been assigned worldwide into roles outside their specialties.

With President Bush and Congress in a standoff over Iraq spending, the Pentagon is shifting money among services and accounts, including drawing down funds earmarked for other later purposes.

"Somebody's going to have to pay us back," Moseley said. "I don't have to want to have concerns about getting that money back."

In a breakfast session with a group of reporters, Moseley said he was trying to be realistic. "We live in a joint world. We live in a military that's at war. And we live in a situation where, if we can contribute, then sign me up for it."

Still, the Air Force general added, "I'm less supportive of things outside our competency."

more...

[Catch22Dem]

1. "I'm less supportive of things outside our competency."

Those are about as strong as his words can be in his position. I'm glad he put it out there. To those who understand career officer speak, this was a pretty strong rebuke.

[sarge43]

3. If you think that's strong, I wouldn't write on a latrine wall what the

noncoms and the troops are saying right now. There are 20K units from orderly rooms to flight lines treading water trying to stay afloat because they're seriously short handed.

Well, what the hell. Bush et al have broken the Army and the Marine Corps. Looks like the Air Force is next.

[Catch22Dem]

4. Strong for the Chief of Staff, definitely

Now, when I was active duty, I was a mouthy MF, but I was an NCO not an officer. HAHA. :)

[sarge43]

5. Oh, no argument.

You don't get a blue flag on the staff car without learning some tact along the way.

Yeah, I have a fine first edition collection of ass slings for running my mouth about some of the idiotic crap that went down, but then as they would say at the NCO Academy, "Tact? We don't need no stinkin' tact!" :7

[lovuian]

2. Oh General its just the beginning

there will be more and more asked to go