Air Force Association Blog

Note from AFA President -- Book recommendations, CP Newsletter

2012-01-28T03:00:00.015-05:00

I have two new books to recommend to you.

The first is entitled: George F. Kennan: an American Life by John Lewis Gaddis. The book is a biography about Kennan, who in the late 1940s wrote two documents, the “long telegram” and the “X” article, which set out the strategic vision that would define US policy toward the Soviet Union until that country’s collapse four and a half decades later. The book is unique in that Kennan agreed in 1981 at age 78 to have Dr. Gaddis write his biography. Kennan gave him unfettered access to his papers, his diaries, and other materials. Both agreed it best to wait to publish the book until after Ambassador Kennan’s death. He died in 2005 at the age of 101. A quote from the book to interest you:

As for the Soviet Union, its system was unalterably opposed to that of the United States. It followed, therefore, that there can be no possible middle ground or compromise between the two, that any attempts to find such a middle ground, by the resumption of diplomatic relations or otherwise, are bound to be unsuccessful, that the two systems cannot even exist together in the same world unless an economic cordon is put around one or the other of them, and that within twenty or thirty years either Russia will be capitalist or we shall be communist.” Kennan, Jan 12, 1931.

I believe this book will be awarded a Pulitzer Prize this year … it’s that good.

Secondly, Lee Ellis has a written great book on leadership entitled: Leading with Honor – Leadership Lessons from the Hanoi Hilton. As many of you know, I am a student of leadership and read vociferously on the subject. This one is one of the best I’ve read. Mr. Ellis begins his book with:

Our culture desperately needs courageous servant leaders – men and women who have clear vision and strong character, who instill confidence and inspire excellence, who don’t fold under pressure, compromise on principle, or practice deception. In short, we need leaders who are committed to leading with honor.”

The book has been endorsed by some outstanding leaders such as Gen (Ret) Bill Looney and Lt Gen (Ret) Bill Lord … and by a hero of mine: R. E. Gene Smith, past President and Chairman of the Board, Air Force Association. Gene writes:

Lee captures the essence of what it takes to provide strong leadership, as well as followership, in some of the most difficult conditions ever faced by our military men. A great read on integrity, character, and leadership.

Finally, our National High School Cyber Defense Competition – CyberPatriot – is proceeding well. Out of over 1,000 teams which registered, we have 12 teams in the finals in the All Service division. The semifinal round for the Open Division is this weekend. The Commissioner, Brig Gen (Ret) Bernie Skoch, and his staff have started a monthly, online CyberPatriot newsletter. I was struck by the variety of subjects covered (i.e., Blueprint for a Secure Cyber Future, Social Engineering and Phishing Attacks, Software Piracy: Big Consequences, CyberPatriot Competitor Code of Conduct, Coaches' Corner, Cyberbullying, and Northrop Grumman - Grooming Tomorrow's Cyber Workforce). This newsletter should be shared broadly … not only with high schoolers, but also with some of us “old-people.” You can find a link to the newsletter at: http://www.uscyberpatriot.org/CP4/CP%20IV%20Documents/CPNewsletter_20Jan2012_Final.pdf

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

“The only thing more expensive than a first-rate Air Force is … a second-rate Air Force.” -- Senate staff member

This Day in Airpower History: NASA's Apollo 1 Tragedy

2012-01-27T15:06:00.000-05:00

Each day on the AFA Facebook Page, we give a "Today in Airpower History" fact. Though the heritage and history of the Air Force is rich with content, we wanted to elaborate on one of them.

On Friday, January 27, 1967, a routine pre-launch test for NASA's Apollo 1 turned fatal when a fire ripped through the spacecraft's crew cabin, claiming the lives of Gus Grissom, Ed White and Roger Chaffee. A flash fire occurred in command module 012 during a launch pad test of the Apollo/Saturn space vehicle being prepared for the first piloted flight, the AS-204 mission.

Following the tragedy, a seven-member board conducted a comprehensive investigation to pinpoint the cause of the fire. The final report The report presented the results of the investigation and made specific recommendations that led to major design and engineering modifications, and revisions to test planning, test discipline, manufacturing processes and procedures, and quality control.

With these changes, the overall safety of the command and service module and the lunar module was increased substantially. The AS-204 mission was redesignated Apollo I in honor of the crew.

For more information about this tragedy:

-- NASA Headquarters
-- Apollo 1: The Fire That Shocked NASA

SPEAKER CHANGE: Upcoming Air Force Breakfast Series Session

2012-01-27T13:55:00.000-05:00

Just a heads up –

Earlier this week we announced the date of the first session of AFA's 2012 Air Force Breakfast Series changed to February 2, 2012, with the same speaker, same topic, and same location (Key Bridge Marriott). However, we’ve recently had a speaker change and now Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley will be the guest speaker.

Thank you for your understanding regarding all the changes we have had for our first AFA AF Breakfast this year. If you are already registered for this event, and opted for the “Media ticket with Breakfast”, and no longer wish to attend, please let Sarah Piggott (spiggott@afa.org) know if you would like to have your payment put towards another breakfast (preferred) or refunded.

If you’ve yet to register but still would like to attend, please register online at http://jan2012breakfast.eventbrite.com.

Recipient of 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award Shares his Experience

2012-01-26T13:07:00.000-05:00

Below is an excerpt from the December 2011 edition of Flightline, the official Newsletter of the 780th Bomb Squadron of WWII. We wanted to share this specific article with you all because it holds a very special place in our hearts as it was written by a recipient of AFA's 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award. George Kuchenbecker, along with four other men, representing the heavy bombardment crews of World War II were the recipients of one of AFA's most esteemed awards! This particular award recognizes not a single achievement, but a lifetime of work in the advancement of aerospace.

His article captures his experience, his excitement and his gratitude of being honored at the annual ceremony that concluded the 2011 Air & Space Conference. Enjoy!

--------------------------

Saluted by Four Star Generals: ‘Cookie’ Receives Lifetime Achievement Award by AFA on Behalf of 15 AF Flyers

by George Kuchenbecker

In July I was asked by the Air Force Association to speak at their annual conference and trade show and to be awarded their “Lifetime Achievement Award” in recognition of my WWII service as a bomber crew member in the 15th Air Force. The conference was held September 19-21, in Washington, D.C., at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center.

The invitation included Gloria with all our travel and hotel expenses paid by the AFA. That was a great benefit as the room rate at the Gaylord is $299 a night. Most of our meals were also covered by the AFA. All we had to pay for was incidental food and some keepsakes for us and the gifts we bought for the grandkids.

We left Seattle early on September 18th and spent our first night in the Gaylord. Monday the 19th the rush of activities started with getting our name tags from the AFA suite and meeting all the AFA people we had worked with to get to the event. Then the endless parade of new faces. Not possible to remember faces and names.

This year the AFA was giving its Lifetime Achievement Award to the heavy bombardment crews of WWII, “recognizing a lifetime of work in the advancement of aerospace,” according to their letter to me. Four WWII Army Air Corps veterans were invited - one from each major theater of combat. A pilot from the 8th Air Force in England represented Northern Europe, me from the 15th AF in Italy for Southern Europe, a 13th AF B-29 pilot who flew out of Tinian in the Pacific bombing Japan and island bases on the road to Tokyo, and finally a B-24 ball turret gunner who flew in the CBI, flying missions in Burma and Southeast Asia.

Our first scheduled event Tuesday was a forum with the four of us speaking to the entire group in attendance. A large number of those we spoke to were U.S. Air Force personnel, all in their dress blues. There were more four-star generals than I had ever seen before, and all wanting to shake our hands. Some of the females were in their formal uniforms with long blue skirts. Quite a sight. The forum lasted about an hour and a half and then it was dinner time. We dined at McCormick & Schmick's, right on the banks of the Potomac River. Our host was Doug Birkey, the AFA man who set up the whole event, and some of the AFA people that worked with him. Bunch of really great people.

Wednesday started with a stop at the Jos. A. Bank store to pick up our rental tuxes which the AFA paid for. We spent most of the day exploring the Gaylord and some of the D.C. sights. Then the big event - a huge banquet for about 1400 guests. Formal attire for all. Great food and very well served. Then the awards presentation with lots of Air Force brass, many high-level executives from Air Force suppliers including Boeing and Air Bus, plus many smaller companies that supply most of the nuts and bolts that make the Air Force run.

After dinner was the awards. After many speeches and recognitions of dignitaries it was time to present the Lifetime Achievement Awards. There were five to be presented. My group was next to last and the four of us took our place on the stage. The perpetual trophy for the award is a large crystal ball engraved with the AFA logo and several turns of silver cord around it. Our names will be placed on its pedestal. Unfortunately, there were no small replicas for the recipients.

Then the party began. In that huge ballroom many came up to shake our hands and say thanks for what we had done so long ago. There were five four-star generals in the group and each sought us out individually, came to attention in front of us, popped a brisk salute and shook our hand. They spent a few minutes asking the what and where questions about our service, thanked us for our service and made way for the next person to speak to us. It's hard to imagine a lowly staff sergeant being saluted by a four-star general!

Note from AFA President -- Loh, Fogleman, op-eds

2012-01-25T09:03:00.000-05:00

I have several op-eds to bring to your attention.

The first is by Gen (Ret) Loh which appeared as a letter to the editor of the NY Times. It contains the clearest and most succinct articulation of Airpower that I have seen. You can find the piece below my name.

Secondly, I ran across a piece by former Chief of Staff of the Air Force, Gen (Ret) Fogleman. In it he states we can reduce our active military and rely on the National Guard and Reserves, while bringing down budgets and investing in the next-generation technologies we’ll need in the decades to come. You can find the piece at: http://blog.nj.com/njv_guest_blog/2012/01/smaller_us_military_the_right.html

A second piece by the general also merits your attention. It appeared in Defense News. You can find it at: http://www.defensenews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2012301160015

Third, we have put the links to several op-eds on our website – some on both sides of an issue. The general location of them is in our Education and Opinion section. (See: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/).

For example, on Iran, Mark Helprin of Wall Street Journal and Shibley Telhami and Staven Kull of New York Times differ in their approach to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Likewise Chairman McKeon (R-CA) of the House Armed Services Committee takes issue in the Washington Post with the Administration on its new strategy.

Finally, a thoughtful piece on Taiwan appeared in the NY Times. It was written by Su Chi, Chairman of the Taipei Forum. You can find the piece at: http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/13/opinion/why-taiwans-future-matters.html

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association
----------------------------------------------------

To the Editor:

Re: "Panetta to Offer Budget Strategy Cutting Military <http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/us/pentagon-to-present-vision-of-reduced-military.html> " ("The Next War" series, front page, Jan. 3):

Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta's task of cutting hundreds of billions of dollars from the defense budget while retaining a competent military is not as drastic as your article describes if he reverses the growth in ground forces and expands the investment in air power.

President Obama and Mr. Panetta now recognize that the precision, efficiency, low cost and near zero casualties offered by a strategy based on air power allow them to withdraw sooner from Afghanistan and attack Al Qaeda effectively from wherever it chooses to operate. At the same time, we can build our air forces to deter aggression in Asia and elsewhere.

Air power provides the capabilities, flexibility and long range need to fulfill Mr. Panetta's strategy of fighting and winning one major conflict, while being able to "spoil" a second adversary's ambitions in another part of the world, and countering terrorism.

But Congress keeps talking about cutting the very programs needed to do this - modern fighters, long-range bombers, drones and global surveillance assets. Instead, we need to invest in these systems to replace our worn-out air power assets, not cut them.

Mr. Panetta's strategy is right. To make it work, we must underwrite it with a robust modernization of air power forces.

JOHN MICHAEL LOH
Williamsburg, Va., Jan. 3, 2012

Washington Perspective -- Calendar

2012-01-24T13:55:00.000-05:00

AFA members, tonight the President delivers his State of the Union speech to both Houses of Congress. The Republicans respond after the speech.

What to listen for from both speeches:
- Listen for any focus on national defense. In this tough economy, it’s doubtful that you will see this topic broached … other than to take credit or pass blame for taking steps to reduce our presence overseas. But, as I have said many times, the Preamble to the Constitution says “ … provide for the common defence, promote the general welfare ….” National security is job #1 for the government.

- Listen for any indication of what the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, ADM Mullen, says is the number one threat facing the nation: our national debt and annual deficit. As you know, politicians on both sides like to … be popular … and tout new programs and increased spending/investment in certain areas … not to talk about what and where will be cut. But I believe we are facing a mountain that our children/grandchildren will have to face. At 2%, the interest on the national debt is over $300B. That is larger than the budgets of the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, Department of Treasury, Department of Justice, and the Department of Transportation … combined. We presently pay for only about 60% of every dollar spent. We have to address this issue head on.

- Listen for a shared sense of “togetherness” in these tough times. We need our leaders to pull together … and to unite our nation … not necessarily behind specific policies, but behind a shared set of goals for the country. [I’m not talking about bi-partisanship here. That’s probably too much to expect.]

I recognize that this is the election season [and the season has been underway for a while] … and it is unlikely that these speeches will be the final say on America’s challenges, but it is time for us all to understand what needs to be done and to chart a path to the future.

Secondly, on 26 Jan, I expect Secretary Panetta to give us a peak at the FY13 defense budget. We know the deficit control act of last summer cut $450+ billion out of defense. Many people I meet with say … that’s probably OK … but … don’t cut me/my base/my district, etc. We expect there to be sizable cuts to all the Services. Initial indications are that the cuts will be meted out proportionally – 30/30/30/10 to the Departments of the AF, Army, and Navy, and the agencies. While I believe the Strategic Guidance puts a premium on air, space, cyber space, and naval forces, sometimes the programmers and budgets don’t necessarily follow the guidance. Also, with the Air Force budget less than 20% of the defense budget (vs the Army at 35% and the Navy at 25%), an even split in percent terms cuts the Air Force less than the others. However, we don’t know if the split is in percent or dollar terms. If it is in dollar terms, the result could be as much as $10B more in FY13 than if it were in percent terms. Look for a cut of almost 300 airplanes from the AF inventory; look for cuts to the Guard and Reserves as well as the active force. And look for “unhappiness” broadly shared.

Finally, I expect the budget to be sent to Congress on 13 February. It is then that we will know specifics about the Administration’s request.

In the meantime, Congress has a number of issues facing it: extending the 2% Social Security tax cut and the Medicare/TRICARE “doc fix” past February, among others.

And … hanging over the Department of Defense is the threat of sequestration. Sequestration, if it occurs in Jan 13, would cut another $500B or so from DOD.

There is lots of work for all this year.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Time Change: 2012's First Session of the Air Force Breakfast Series

2012-01-23T10:42:00.000-05:00

Last week we announced the first session of AFA's 2012 Air Force Breakfast Series would take place on January 27, 2012. As of today, the event date has been changed and will take place on February 2, 2012, with the same speaker, same topic, and same location (Key Bridge Marriott).

In case you forgot:
The 2012 Air Force Breakfast Series kicks off with Lieutenant General Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, as the guest speaker! Lt. Gen. Carlisle spoke at the September 2011 session, honing in on the responsibilities and challenges of his department. However, this month’s session he will be focusing on 5th Generation Fighters (F-22 and F-35) and their roles in terms of national and global security as they struggle with delays and setbacks in a tense budget environment.

Please register online at http://jan2012breakfast.eventbrite.com. For additional information, contact Sarah Piggott at spiggott@afa.org.

AFA’s Next ‘Mitchell Hour’ to Focus on Conducting Operations Against Anti-Access and Area-Denial Threats

2012-01-20T11:55:00.000-05:00

AFA's Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies will move forward this year in a new direction, offering even more monthly events with high quality reports and briefings that cover issues vital to airpower and national defense. Last week's Mitchell Hour was a great presentation by ... to kick of the year! The next Mitchell Hour will be a briefing by Mark Gunzinger of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments regarding his latest report: “Outside-in: Operating from Range to Defeat Iran’s Anti-Access and Area-Denial Capabilities."

As Gunzinger explains in his report, “Since the collapse of the Soviet Union, the US military has been able to project power overseas with few serious challenges to its freedom of action. This ‘golden era’ for US power projection is drawing to a close. …Iran, in particular, has been investing in new capabilities that could be used to deter, delay, or prevent effective US military operations in the Persian Gulf.” The report proposes an operational concept to enable the US military’s freedom of action against this threat.

This briefing will take place on Tuesday, January 24, 2012, from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., at AFA’s national headquarters at 1501 Lee Highway, Arlington, VA, next to the Key Bridge Marriott. The presentation will be in AFA’s fourth floor boardroom.

Gunzinger is a Senior Fellow at the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. He has been a key player in every major defense review since the end of the Cold War. He supported the Air Force Secretary during the 1993 Bottom-Up Review, 1994 Commission on Roles and Missions, and the 2001 QDR. Most recently, he served as a senior advisor to the Air Force for the 2010 QDR.

Gunzinger is also the principal author or co-author of multiple Defense Planning Guidance/Guidance for Development of the Force directives, the key strategic planning guidance documents that shape DoD force planning.

All Mitchell Hours are free to the public. To register online for this event, go to http://jan24mitchell2012.eventbrite.com. Please RSVP by January 23, 2012.

USAF Chief Scientist Joins CyberFutures Conference Line-Up

2012-01-18T10:29:00.001-05:00

The U.S. Air Force's chief scientist, Dr. Mark T. Maybury, will join an agenda full of Air Force leadership, industry experts, and current cyber security specialists at the Air Force Association’s 2012 CyberFutures Conference!

CyberFutures is AFA’s premiere spring conference, where conference-goers will have the unique opportunity to interact with military, government, academic, and private sector leaders. It highlights speakers from across the cyber security community as they gather to discuss the full spectrum of the nation’s efforts and challenges to unburden, protect and efficiently utilize the cyber domain.

Dr. Maybury serves as chief scientific adviser to the Chief of Staff and Secretary of the Air Force, and provides assessments on a wide range of scientific and technical issues affecting the Air Force mission. In this role he identifies and analyzes technical issues and brings them to attention of Air Force leaders, and interacts with other military and science and technology communities to address cross-organizational technical issues and solutions. He has edited or co-authored 10 books, authored more than 60 refereed publications, and been awarded several U.S. patents.

Invited speakers for the 2012 cyber conference include: Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley; General William Shelton, Commander, Air Force Space Command; Representative Mike Rogers, Chairman of the U.S. House Intelligence Committee; and Secretary Eric Rosenbach, Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy.

This second annual conference will be held March 22-23, 2012, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center on the Potomac, in National Harbor, just across the river from Alexandria and minutes from downtown Washington, DC.

The CyberFutures Conference features a Technology Exposition hall where exhibitors from across the country will display their latest technology in cyber security. In addition, CyberPatriot IV, presented by the Northrop Grumman Foundation, will be holding their national finals competition in conjunction with the conference’s sessions. [P.S. The finalists for the All Service Division will be announced later this week!]

Mitchell Hour Focuses on ISR Forces

2012-01-17T11:44:00.006-05:00

The Gen. Billy Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies held a Mitchell Hour this morning, presenting the latest Mitchell Paper, entitled "Layering ISR Forces," where author Michael W. Isherwood, a defense analyst and former A-10 fighter pilot, joined us here at AFA Headquarters. In this new Mitchell Institute report, Isherwood had a clear message: US forces have to be extremely proficient at all aspects of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance because success in future operations hinges on timely, astute combinations of ISR resources. To access the audio and slides from this presentation, click here.

In addition, as today's Mitchell Hour concluded, Dr. Rebecca Grant announced her resignation as the director of the Mitchell Institute. The Mitchell Institute is AFA’s research and policy arm, where Dr. Grant, who was its founding director, led the organization’s research and publication work for more than three years.

"Rebecca Grant has contributed much to the field of airpower and has demonstrated great passion for the subject in her many reports for the Mitchell Institute,” said Mike Dunn, AFA President and CEO. “We owe her a big debt of gratitude for all she has done for this Association, and we wish her well in her future endeavors.”

Dr. Grant said she will continue to manage her consulting firm, IRIS Independent Research, specializing in airpower research.

"One of AFA’s missions is to provide honest information about airpower,” Grant said. “The Mitchell Institute made a real contribution to that work and I am proud of the reports we published and the public events that kept the focus on airpower – air, space and cyber – and its value to national security.”

AFA Awards Aerospace Education Grants to Civil Air Patrol Squadrons

2012-01-17T07:46:00.000-05:00

AFA awards a new batch of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadrons education grants to help promote aerospace education for hundreds of students each season, and we just announced the Winter Recipients!

These specific grants are distributed for use in any Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) activity or materials that promote aerospace education, which includes purchasing textbooks, materials, or activities such as field trips to aerospace museums.

AFA advocates education in these crucial subjects to develop the skills necessary for the 21st century jobs in fields sustaining U.S. air power and national security. AFA awards these education grants, each $250, four times each year, twice to units and twice to individual educators.

Congratulations to the following squadrons:

· Pontchatrain Composite Squadron, New Orleans, LA
· Waukesha Composite Squadron, Pewaukee, WI
· Columbus Composite Squadron, Columbus, NE
· 153rd Madison Composite Squadron, Madison, WI
· 176th Selfridge Composite Squadron, Ray, MI
· South Charlotte Cadet Squadron, Indian Trail, NC
· Nighthawk Composite Squadron, Denton, TX
· 71st Eielson Composite Squadron, Eielson AFB, AK
· Wheatland Composite Squadron, Wheatland, WY
· McLean County Composite Squadron, Normal, IL
· Singing River Composite Squadron, Moss Point, MS
· Greenville Composite Squadron, Greenville, SC
· Lapeer Composite Squadron, Attica, MI
· Fox Cities Composite Squadron, Appleton, WI
· Timmerman Composite Squadron, Milwaukee, WI
· 102nd Composite Squadron of RI CAP, Cumberland, RI
· Martinsburg Composite Squadron, Shepherdstown, WV
· 9th Composite Squadron, Fairbanks, AK
· La013 Senior Squadron, Shreveport, LA
· NC Wing Group Four, Rock Hill, SC

AFA’s New Wounded Airman Initiative

2012-01-13T11:59:00.000-05:00

AFA and its chapters have taken on a new initiative to help care for wounded Airmen as they make their way from the front line to their home. AFA Chapters around the world are participating in this effort along with the Air Force Recovery Care Coordinators to provide support to Airmen’s needs while in various phases of recovery.

When Airmen are injured and returning to the United States, they are typically bereft of their belongings. They do not have personal clothing or items with them, and are unprepared for their needs as they arrive to begin medical recovery. As they find themselves in hospitals and centers distant from loved ones, this new program was created to help ease their discomfort by offering a variety of both required and congenial items. These items range from immediate small sundries, gift cards, casual clothing, bags, entertainment and technology to connection with larger support agencies for longer term support. They may also require support for family members that may arrive to assist their recovery and rehabilitation.

Three AFA chapters are implementing the first phase of this new initiative: the Nation’s Capital Chapter and D.W. Steele, Sr. Memorial Chapter in the D.C. area and the Alamo Chapter in San Antonio. These three particular chapters were initially selected due to the volume of injured Airmen sent to the Army Medical Centers in their locations. These chapters, along with AFA Headquarters, are putting together packages of needed items for wounded Airmen who arrive at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD and at San Antonio Military Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.

At this time, this project is also monitoring wounded Airmen arriving in both Germany and Hawaii. In the near future the AFA will be following not only these arriving Airmen, but Airmen injured in the past and determining their needs and challenges as well as arranging for support in cooperation with the US Air Force and other Warrior Support Agencies. If you would like to contribute, we are accepting monetary donations at this time. Do not hesitate to contact Lois O’Connor at 703-247-5832 or loconnor@afa.org for more information. Donations can be sent to her attention at AFA, 1501 Lee Hwy., 4^th floor, Arlington, VA 22209, or can be sent electronically here.

AFA on Federal News Radio

2012-01-12T12:19:00.002-05:00

Just a couple of weeks ago, DoD release their new defense strategy amidst a budget environment that continues to be overwhelmingly tense where the Air Force has sent signals it's bracing for major cuts. Yesterday evening, AFA President and CEO Mike Dunn and Federal News Radio’s Francis Rose discussed the new defense strategy, the role of airpower in it and how the Air Force is set to phase out 200 airplanes without plans to replace them.

Read/Listen to the full interview here: Air Force to phase out older aircraft?

Also, if you missed Dunn's comments last week on the Air Force's intentions to phase out older aircraft in last week's Wired Magazine's Danger Room, check it out here: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/01/planes-cut/.

2012 Air Force Breakfast Series Begins with 5th Generation Fighters

2012-01-11T12:03:00.022-05:00

AFA is pleased to announce Lieutenant General Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, as the guest speaker for the first session of the AFA’s 2012 Air Force Breakfast Program! Lt. Gen. Carlisle spoke at the September 2011 session, honing in on the responsibilities and challenges of his department. However, this month’s session he will be focusing on 5th Generation Fighters (F-22 and F-35) and their roles in terms of national and global security as they struggle with delays and setbacks in a tense budget environment.

Lt. Gen. Carlisle is responsible to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff for formulating policy supporting air, space, irregular warfare, counterproliferation, homeland security, weather and cyber operations. As the Air Force Operations Deputy to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he determines operational requirements, capabilities and training necessary to support national security objectives and military strategy.

The AFA Air Force Breakfast Program is a monthly series that provides a venue for senior Air Force and Department of Defense leaders to communicate directly with the public and the press. Past speakers include Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, and Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, Commander of Air Force Materiel Command.

This session will be held on Friday, January 27, 2012, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. Please register online at http://jan2012breakfast.eventbrite.com.

Note from AFA President -- Defense "Strategy"

2012-01-06T09:17:00.000-05:00

Yesterday the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (then later the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretary of Defense Policy, and Vice Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff) rolled out the new defense strategy. You can find it at: http://www.defense.gov/news/Defense_Strategic_Guidance.pdf

I listened to the presentations and read the piece carefully. Initially, I was critical of the work. First it is not a “strategy” in the classic sense of the word (ends, ways, and means). You cannot have a strategy without detailing the resources and none were listed. Secondly it seemed to be just a compendium of thoughts on the strategic environment and a listing of missions of the armed forces. The latter seemed to be in priority order, but that is an assumption on my part and was not overtly stated. There was a lot of talk about process vice the tough choices. And finally, there were lots of words on what the Armed Forces will do and few words on what the Armed Forces won’t be doing – given a $450B budget cut. Like others, I could be critical about what was “not included.”

However, as I read the piece for the second time (and understanding that this is a public document … not a classified one which would be at the SECRET or higher level), I found much in it to commend it to you.

First, it recognizes the nation is at a turning point after a decade at war. We have a broader range of challenges than just the focus on the past wars. The force of the future will be smaller and leaner, but will be agile, flexible, ready, and technologically advanced. The department will avoid a “hollow force.” DOD will reorient the force towards the Asia-Pacific region. This puts a premium on Air, Space, and naval forces. As I was quoted recently [see: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/01/planes-cut/] – 100% of the Pacific is covered by air and space.

In the primary mission of US Armed Forces section, I was pleased to see that the mission to project power despite anti-access/area denial challenges was listed. Despite the fact that the authors did not mention one of the most important elements of power projection [Air Superiority], the idea that the Pentagon should look to the future shoots holes in the concept of “next-war-itis” and is long overdue. I found the concept of deterring and defeating aggression to be refreshing:

“Even when US forces are committed to a large-scale operation in one region, they will be capable of denying the objectives of – or imposing unacceptable cost on – an opportunistic aggressor in a second region.”

This puts a premium on those forces that can rapidly shift from one theater to another – predominantly Airpower.

I found the articulation of the concept of conducting long term occupation and stability operations to take into account the realities of what we have seen over the past ten years – where we projected vulnerability – with over 46,000 wounded and more than 6,200 dead. The piece says: “ … US forces will no longer be sized to conduct large-scale, prolonged stability operations.” In my words, we should take advantage of the inherent strengths of Airpower – speed, range, flexibility, technology – and limit the exposure of our forces to our enemies.

I liked the focus on the Guard and Reserves – both of which have carried a heavy load over the past decade.

And I thought the focus on science, technology, innovation, and the industrial base to be important to discuss in any strategy document. I also thought the concept mentioned in the paper about “reversibility” to be an important one in dealing with risk. We have not, in recent history, done well in predicting who, where, and when we will fight.

I might differ on the margins about things like the listing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, while leaving out Hamas (and others); talking about operating “effectively” in Cyberspace and Space [these are mediums in which we should dominate]; and suggesting that we can achieve our nuclear deterrence goals with a smaller nuclear force [depends on what the goals are]. But on balance, the document is welcomed relief to the past and recognition that the US has broad, enduring, and overarching goals … and challenges.

Finally, I have to back away and comment on the totality of the challenge facing the Department of Defense. Yes … we’re in a budget crisis. And … yes we need to cut government spending. However, during the Kennedy Administration this nation spent 50% of the federal budget on defense. It’s less than 20% today. Then we spent 9.5% of our GDP on Defense; today it’s 3.4% and getting lower. The question we must ask is: Should we balance the budget on the back of defense spending? We have proven over time that a weak America invites aggression. I’m reminded of the famous quote from President Reagan: “Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.”

Last comment: Documents like these don’t always drive resource decisions. Many times, the Services are given dollar bogeys in a “salami-slice” fashion … without regard for the strategy. We should all watch the budget roll out to see if the resources match the “strategy.”

Let me ask you to read the document and tell me what you think.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

“The only thing more expensive than a first-rate Air Force is … a second-rate Air Force.” -- Senate staff member

AFA Statement of Defense Strategy Review

2012-01-05T16:59:00.001-05:00

Today, the Administration released its new defense strategy. The Air Force Association agrees that the United States is at a strategic turning point and our attention must focus on the broader threats affecting our core interests. The Air Force is uniquely positioned to meet future security needs through its ability to shape the global environment, deter potential adversaries, deliver precise combat effects on a global basis and empower the joint force. This strategy focuses additional attention on our commitments to the Asia-Pacific Region, the Middle East and to our allies in Europe. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining critical industrial capabilities and organizations so the US can expand its capabilities if required to do so in the future. The nation needs appropriate funding for necessary military systems and a sustained commitment to a strong national economy. The budget and policy decisions made based on this strategy released today will shape fundamental security options decades into the future.

Click here to read the full DOD document on their priorities for 21st century defense.

AFA Chapters Celebrate Holiday Season with Charity

2011-12-29T15:01:00.016-05:00

While the Christmas season is often filled with family, presents and parties, AFA Chapters around the country have used this season as a time of giving. AFA's Ak-Sar-Ben Chapter of Omaha, Nebraska, celebrated the holiday season with a visit to the Omaha Veterans Hospital. A week before Christmas, "Santa's elves" provided gifts, drinks and snacks to all the in-patients and staff!

And from the Thomas B. McGuire, Jr. Chapter of McGuire AFB, New Jersey, AFA members participated in the 20th Annual Wreaths Across America event, held on December 10, 2011. At Arlington National Cemetery, Capt Jennifer Condon-Pracht teamed with the CMSgt Bryan Creager and Capt Emily Brand were able to assemble 25 active duty, civilian, and Civil Air Patrol volunteers to help lay wreaths at the day’s event. More than 100,000 wreaths were laid with more than 10 truckloads of wreaths delivered.

Mitchell Institute to Release New Study on ISR Forces

2011-12-29T08:17:00.000-05:00

The Mitchell Institute will be hosting a Mitchell Hour next month! Dr. Rebecca Grant, Director of the Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies, recently announced the forthcoming publication of a Mitchell Paper, “Layering ISR Forces.” It will be released at 9:30 a.m., January 17, 2012, at AFA’s national headquarters in Arlington, Va.

Dr. Grant will present the report with author Michael W. Isherwood, a defense analyst and former A-10 fighter pilot. In this new Mitchell Institute paper, Isherwood has a clear message: US forces have to be extremely proficient at all aspects of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance because success in future operations hinges on timely, astute combinations of ISR resources. He explains that layering airborne ISR forces is especially intricate because of their different operational qualities and sensors.

Rebecca Grant is regarded as one of the nation’s foremost air, space and cyber power analysts, with 20 years of experience in Washington, D.C. Among her Mitchell Institute titles are: Return of the Bomber (2007); Losing Air Dominance (2008); and The Vanishing Airpower Arsenal (2010).

For media registration, please email MShaffer@AFA.org.

The 12 Days of AFA!

2011-12-26T03:00:00.001-05:00

Each year, AFA compiles a list of great reasons why you should join or gift the gift of membership this holiday season! We released them on the AFA Facebook the twelve days prior to Christmas. Here's a recap:

On the first day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: a growing network of Air Force officials, policy-makers, industry experts, and other members who, like you, care deeply about airpower and the mission of AFA. Join today, and start taking part in all our benefits! Join today for only $45/yr or $110/3 years: https://www.afa.org/newforms/membership.aspx!

On the second day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: The Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies! This world class aerospace and cyberspace think tank continues to influence the national security debate. For more information about the Mitchell Institute go to http://www.afa.org/Mitchell/

On the third day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: discounts on travel deals! AFA offers two travel programs to our members: Government Vacation Rewards and RCI. For affordable timeshares, cruises, flights and more, AFA knows you deserve a vacation! Visit http://www.afavba.org/travel.asp.

On the fourth day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: four world class conferences! As a member, you have the opportunity to attend our conferences and symposiums at a heavily discounted rate. At these events you will hear from the top leadership of the Air Force, academia, industry and historical Air Force icons. http://www.afa.org/aef/events.asp

On the fifth day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: concerts, ceremonies, and other events at the Air Force Memorial (link to fb page). AFA was instrumental in the vision and creation of the Memorial, a site of reverence and remembrance. Come visit and “like” the Air Force Memorial Page on Facebook!

On the sixth day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: great deals on holiday gifts! Discounts are available through our online mall for members only! Shop using discounts and rebates at some of your favorite stores like Apple, Dell, and Microsoft. Shopping at the AFA Online Mall earns you rebate dollars from 1-20% of your purchase.

On the seventh day of Christmas, AFA gave to me (and many others for that matter!): more than $1.5 million in scholarships, grants, and awards annually. These programs encourage Air Force members to continue their education, provide funds to Air Force spouses working toward a degree, and administer grants that develop math and science skills. For more information and ways to get involved, go to http://www.afa.org/aef/aid/scholars.asp.

On the eighth day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: access to the award-winning Air Force Magazine, the USAF Almanac, and the electronic news brief Daily Report, which reaches more than 130,000 readers worldwide. Be a part of that readership, sign up today!

On the ninth day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: the chance to help future generations further their studies in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM)—subjects that are vital to our security! Programs we sponsor--like CyberPatriot and Visions of Exploration--reach kids nationwide on a daily basis and show them an attainable and fun future!

On the tenth day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: the opportunity to make tax-deductible donations that make a difference! At its core, the Air Force Association is a grassroots membership organization. Starting with the gift of membership, a donation, or the presentation of one of our Fellowships, you are allowing us to further our mission! For more information on contributions or gifts in honor of a loved one, check here: www.afa.org/giftsinaction

On the eleventh day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: an advocate on Capitol Hill! We brief Congressional staffers on airpower issues, educating as we go! Through policy papers, debates, work with the Military Coalition, and interaction with people who can make a difference in the Pentagon and on the Hill we make sure that AFA is a presence that is heard!

On the twelfth day of Christmas, AFA gave to me: the perfect gift to give, membership in AFA! Keep up-to-date on what AFA is doing to protect your interests! Each year we release a Statement of Policy and Top Issues Brief to inform our members—and the world—of what we’re working on with the Air Force and on Capitol Hill. We want to share these tools with you!

Season's Greetings

2011-12-25T03:00:00.000-05:00

On behalf of the Air Force Association, we wish everyone a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy New Year. We hope you will enjoy this special time of year with family and friends, and we look forward together to a great 2012. We have felt honored and privileged to serve with you, especially at this vital time when our armed forces need our support the most. The courage and dedication of our Airmen, Sailors, Soldiers and Marines, is remarkable and we have great pride and appreciation in their efforts. We’re proud to support them and advocate on their behalf. Keep them in your thoughts and prayers this holiday season.

As the year comes to an end, we’d like to thank everyone – members, volunteers, sponsors and friends—for all of their hard work and dedication to the mission of AFA. From AFA Headquarters, have a blessed holiday season and may it be filled with much joy and happiness! We look forward to seeing you all again in 2012!

Note from AFA President -- Pacific nation, NK

2011-12-22T03:00:00.002-05:00

Over the past few months the Administration has emphasized US ties across the Pacific. In mid-November, Secretary Clinton delivered a very good speech at the East-West Center in Hawaii. In the speech, she pointed out the importance of the Asia Pacific region:

“So many global trends point to Asia. It’s home to nearly half the world’s population, it boasts several of the largest and fastest-growing economies and some of the world’s busiest ports and shipping lanes, and it also presents consequential challenges such as military buildups, concerns about the proliferation of nuclear weapons, natural disasters, and the world’s worst levels of greenhouse gas emissions. It is becoming increasingly clear that in the 21st century, the world’s strategic and economic center of gravity will be the Asia Pacific, from the Indian subcontinent to the western shores of the Americas. And one of the most important tasks of American statecraft over the next decades will be to lock in a substantially increased investment – diplomatic, economic, strategic, and otherwise – in this region.”

Sec Clinton took on the charge that with our economic problems, now is not the time for a new era of engagement in Asia:

“At this time of serious economic challenges, I am well aware of the concerns of those in our own country that the United States downsize our work around the world. When they hear me and others talk about a new era of engagement in Asia I know they think to themselves, “Why would we increase our outreach anywhere? Now’s the time to scale back.” This thinking is understandable, but it is mistaken. What will happen in Asia in the years ahead will have an enormous impact on our nation’s future, and we cannot afford to sit on the sidelines and leave it to others to determine our future for us. Instead, we need to engage and seize these new opportunities for trade and investment that will create jobs at home and will fuel our economic recovery.”

And she describes moving ahead on six key lines of action:

“They are: strengthening our bilateral security alliances; deepening our working relationships with emerging powers; engaging with regional multilateral institutions; expanding trade and investment; forging a broad-based military presence; and advancing democracy and human rights.”

You can find the entire speech at: http://www.state.gov/secretary/rm/2011/11/176999.htm

Secondly, the world received good news this week. The world’s most authoritarian despot – Kim Chong Il of North Korea – died. Many around the world, especially in the Republic of Korea cheered. Kim has single-handedly killed millions of his own people and approved/conceived of dozens of terrorist attacks. As a self-proclaimed expert on NK, I listened to the commentary on the news with great interest. I found most of those opining to have made one of several mistakes when talking about North Korea. First NK is not a country. It is more like a crime family gang run by Kim, his friends, and his family. Think of it as a mafia. And … it does all the things a mafia organization does – such as drug smuggling, counterfeiting, kidnapping, extorting, and threatening. Secondly, despite the many experts you might hear, no one knows what is really going on inside of the minds of the elites who control power. Third, I heard (and laughed) that the “will of the people” was being ignored. Despots don’t permit the people to have a will. I could go farther, but let me share one piece I saw that seems to get the situation about right. Ms Melanie Kirkpatrick writes the piece below that appeared on Tues, 20 Dec in the Wall Street Journal.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

--------------------------------------------

OPINION - DECEMBER 20, 2011
The World's Most Repressive State
President George W. Bush famously told journalist Bob Woodward, 'I loathe Kim Jong Il.'
By MELANIE KIRKPATRICK

A few minutes after the news of the death of North Korean dictator Kim Jong Il flashed across computer screens on Sunday night—Monday morning on the Korean Peninsula—I received an email from a North Korean defector. The man, who is now living in Seoul and is a Christian, was exultant: "God blesses all of us," he wrote. The defector's sentiments will be shared by many, especially his long-suffering countrymen.

The best-known aspect of Kim Jong Il's legacy is a nuclear North Korea. During his rule, which began in 1994 after the death of his father Kim Il Sung, the younger Kim accelerated the nuclear-weapons and ballistic-missile programs initiated by the elder Kim. He went on to proliferate both technologies to Iran, which today would not be on the brink of being a nuclear power if it were not for his assistance.

Kim Jong Il will also be remembered as a master manipulator of the Western powers, especially the U.S. The history of the failed denuclearization agreements says it all. On Pyongyang's part, it is a history marked by lies, broken promises, and clandestine programs. On the part of the U.S., the history is marked by gullibility and wishful thinking. North Korea's path to developing nuclear weapons and the missiles to deliver them would have been far more arduous had Bill Clinton and George W. Bush not accepted Kim Jong Il's promises of future good behavior in return for economic benefits.

The late dictator leaves another legacy too: presiding over the world's most repressive modern state. Kim Jong Il's name belongs on the list of the most evil tyrants of our time.

President George W. Bush famously told journalist Bob Woodward, "I loathe Kim Jong Il," a statement for which he was widely mocked in diplomatic and academic circles. Mr. Bush made this remark in 2002, when the world was just beginning to learn about the horrors of life in North Korea thanks to the testimonies of the few people who had escaped and reached safety in the free South. Associated Press A North Korean child sits on the top of a stone lion on the river banks in Sinuiju, North Korea.

In the decade since 2002, there has been a flood of escapees. From these men, women and children we have a glimpse of Kim's human legacy: a brutalized and starving people, whose access to food is controlled by the state and dependent upon their perceived political reliability; the world's most corrupt society, where the rule of law is nonexistent; and a gulag-like system of prison camps, where some 200,000 people are incarcerated, often with three generations of their families, for such "crimes" as listening to a foreign radio broadcast, reading a Bible, or disrespecting a portrait of Kim Jong Il or Kim Il Sung. Refugees frequently use the word "hell" to describe their country, and it is impossible to disagree.

Here are just two examples of Kim Jong Il's reign of terror—one monumental in its impact on human suffering. First is the famine of the mid-to-late 1990s, which killed two million to three million North Koreans. This blood belongs on the hands of the dictator himself, who diverted resources to military programs rather than buy food for his hungry people, and who refused to introduce agricultural reforms that would make possible better and sustainable food production. He was only too willing to let millions of his countrymen die in order to pursue his nuclear ambitions.

The other example has to do with the defection, in 1997, of a high-ranking official, Hwang Jong-yop. Kim Jong Il's initial response was to round up 3,000 of Hwang's relatives—including people who had no idea they were related to the defector—and ship them off to the gulag. But his obsession with retribution did not stop at North Korea's borders. He spent the next 13 years—until Hwang's death from natural causes in 2010—dispatching a series of assassins to Seoul to attempt to murder him.

Kim's personal eccentricities were legion—the ever-present boiler suit, the bouffant hair style, the elevator shoes. His personal appetites were legion too, akin to those of Nero or other famous hedonists of yore. In recent years, after his doctor reportedly ordered him to avoid his preferred cognac, he drank only Chateau Margaux, an expensive French Bordeaux. He was a great movie buff whose personal library was said to include thousands of films. In 1978, he arranged to have his favorite South Korean actress kidnapped from a beach in Hong Kong and brought to Pyongyang to star in North Korean movies.

There is one more notable aspect to Kim's human legacy, and while it would be overly optimistic to make too much of it, it is nevertheless a hopeful one. In recent years, according to testimonies by refugees, more and more North Koreans have started to question Kim's rule. The discontent doesn't yet reach the level of organized dissent, but refugees report that there is a growing hatred of the Kim family dynasty. The hatred is more widespread than one would suppose in a state where most sources of information are controlled and where the regime propagates a cult of Kim family worship.

The hatred extends to Kim Jong Il's son and announced successor, Kim Jong Eun. In recent months Kim Jong Eun is believed to have ordered a vicious crackdown on North Koreans who try to leave the country and on family members they leave behind. Recent roundups of people caught in possession of foreign DVDs, listening to foreign radio broadcasts, or using cell phones that can call outside the country are also laid at his feet.

None of this bodes well for the North Korean people in the near term. It looks like Kim Jong Eun can be counted on to do everything he can to perpetuate his father's tyrannical regime. In this, he will have the support and assistance of the elite ruling class, which benefits from the status quo.

In dealing with the new dictator of North Korea, however, the Western democracies would do well to reconsider the policies that failed to move the now-dead dictator. In this, they should heed the advice of the late Vaclav Havel, the Czech playwright and democrat.

In the last decade of his life, Havel took up the cause of the North Korean people and urged the world's democracies to make respect for human rights an integral part of any discussions with Pyongyang. He wrote in 2004: "Decisiveness, perseverance and negotiations from a position of strength are the only things that Kim Jong Il and those like him understand."

These qualities, absent from the West's dealings with Kim Jong Il, deserve to be paramount in its dealings with his heir.

Ms. Kirkpatrick, a former deputy editor of the Journal's editorial page, is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. Her book on North Koreans who escape and the people who help them will be published next year.

AFA Congratulates Advancing Teams in CyberPatriot IV Competition

2011-12-21T12:29:00.000-05:00

AFA's CyberPatriot recently announced the top scoring teams who will be advancing to the third and final preliminary round of the nation’s largest high school cyber defense competition.

CyberPatriot, an education initiative produced by AFA in 2008, is a one-of-a-kind cyber defense competition that provides students hands-on learning about cyber security. CyberPatriot IV brought in more than 1,000 team registrations from all 50 states, U.S. Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Europe and the Pacific, and Canada in the two-track competition. Teams have registered from public, private, parochial and home schools in the Open Division, and JROTC units of all Services and Civil Air Patrol squadrons filled the All-Service Division.

During the second round of competition, held the first and third weekends of December, teams set out once again to defend virtualized networks of computers. Teams were scored according to how quickly and effectively they established and maintained secure networks. The scores of the first and second preliminary rounds were aggregated to determine which teams moved forward.

To view the list of advancing All Service Division teams, click here. To view the advancing Open Division teams, click here.

“There was a tremendous amount of effort being displayed by all the teams who participated in CyberPatriot IV, and we congratulate them for their hard work,” said Bernie Skoch, CyberPatriot Commissioner. “As these students are competing against their peers and having fun, they are also building skills and key knowledge in an area that is critical to our nation’s success. We are proud to be able to provide such an energetic and exciting venue for learning, and look forward to the remainder of this year’s competition.”

After Round 3, the top 12 qualifying teams of each division receive all-expenses-paid trips to the CyberPatriot National Championship Competition held in the Washington, DC area, in March 2012.

The final preliminary round for the All Service Division teams will be on January 13, while the Open Division competes again on January 27.

More information on CyberPatriot can be found at www.usCyberPatriot.org.

Washington Perspective -- Defense Bill, TA, Debt

2011-12-21T03:00:00.001-05:00

Congress passed (late last week) the FY12 Defense Authorization Act. It, like most defense bills, was complex and had many elements. Here is a document which provides a general summary to the Act: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/2011/FY12_National_Defense_Authorization_Act_Summary.pdf

For a better look at elements of the personnel parts of the bill, see this longer piece which compares House and Senate provisions and tells you which were approved: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/2011/FY2012_Final_NDAA_Matrix.pdf [AFA believes our positions prevailed in a number of areas. We are proud of our efforts (and of the HASC) in not proceeding with a Joint Unified Medical Command. We achieved many of our goals outlined in an earlier Washington Perspective (See: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/2011/FY12_NDAA_TMC_Matrix_for_Conferees.pdf). However, we did not achieve a long-held objective of ending the DIC/SBP offset. We will push hard for it next year.]

Additionally, on an item not on the list, we failed to convince the Senate that the Air Force needs to own the Air Force Memorial. As some of you might realize, the Army is the caretaker of the Memorial … but the AF pays most of the bills there through a memorandum of agreement with the Army. While I consider this one a “no-brainer” … and it came at no cost to the government, the Senate Armed Services Committee continued to block the transfer. I will be asking you in the future to send letters to your Senators.

Secondly, Sec Panetta, as a result of our letter and those of others, suspended the adjustment rule to the tuition assistance program. This shows that the Air Force Association does, indeed, make a difference. [For reference letter, see: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/2011/TA_letter.pdf

Finally, many of you have written me urging a more simple explanation of the erosive impact of our national debt. One of you (thanks, Jim) sent me the version below my name. And … while the numbers are not exactly accurate, they are close.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Snapshot of the U.S. Government financial situation:

* U.S. Tax revenue: $2,170,000,000,000

* Federal budget: $3,820,000,000,000

* New debt: $ 1,650,000,000,000

* National debt: $14,271,000,000,000

* Recent budget cuts: $ 38,500,000,000

Let's now remove 8 zeros and pretend it's a household budget:

* Annual family income: $21,700

* Money the family spent: $38,200

* New debt on the credit card: $16,500

* Outstanding balance on the credit card: $142,710

* Total budget cuts: $385

CyberFutures Conference set for March 22-23, 2012

2011-12-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

AFA's newest conference, CyberFutures, promises to be another great event, sharing critical information and best practices on cyber-related issues. The 2012 CyberFutures Conference provides a unique platform cyber security and technology professionals to convene, and fosters the development of strategies to approach this growing security threat. AFA’s second annual cyber conference will be held March 22-23, 2012, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland, minutes from downtown Washington, DC.

The cyber domain presents endless opportunities but also unbounded threats. Maintaining secure networks and systems is vital. Identifying and addressing the limitations and challenges is imperative—eliciting the need for a national event for the cyber community to share critical information and best practices.

This conference is a great chance to come together with military leadership, senior DOD professionals, intelligence services and cyber experts as they discuss the latest in the continuum of cyber defense and how it affects nation and its security. Speakers of last year’s conference included Lt. Gen. William T. Lord, Chief of Warfighting Integration and Chief Information Officer for the Office of the Secretary of the Air Force; Greg Schaffer, Assistant Secretary of Cyber Security Communication for the Department of Homeland Security; Vinton Cerf, Vice President and Chief Internet Evangelist Google and one of "the fathers of the Internet”; and Robert Butler, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Cyber Policy.

Key conference topics:
· Cyber and Warfighting Integration
· Future of Cyber Defense
· Cyber Priorities and Perspectives
· The Evolution of the Cyber Threat
· Cyber Challenges and Technical Strategies

Along with top notch speakers, CyberFutures features a technology exposition that exhibits the latest technological advances and innovations in cyber defense.

In addition, AFA’s CyberPatriot, the national high school cyber defense competition, will be hosting their national finals competition, where 24 high school teams from around the country will compete for the championship trophy, scholarships and bragging rights. For more information on CyberPatriot, go to www.uscyberpatriot.org.

Over the next few weeks, look for additional speakers, upcoming scheduling specifics and other information updates.

Washington Perspective -- FY12 NDAA

2011-12-16T08:56:00.002-05:00

Yesterday the Senate passed the FY12 National Defense Authorization Act. [The House passed it on Tuesday.] The President has pulled his threat to veto the bill, and we expect him to sign it in the near future. A summary of the Top issues is below my name.

For a longer summary, see: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/2011/FY12_National_Defense_Authorization_Act.pdf.

Editorial comment: While any defense bill is important, the impending cuts in the FY13 budget, coupled with possible sequestration cuts, will overshadow this bill in a major way. As some of you may realize, sequestration means every line item in the budget will be reduced. For defense, it is possible that every contract will have to be re-negotiated. I will give you more information on this in the future.

Reminder: While I will read your responses and pass them to our government relations team, I do not have the time to answer them.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Top issues

$662.4B, $26.6B less than the Presidential Budget Request
The House passed the final fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill, 283-136, Wednesday evening.
The Senate voted, 86-13, to pass the fiscal 2012 defense authorization bill on Thursday afternoon.
Reduced the Air Force F-35 request from 19 airframes to 18. Navy and Marine Corps receive full request, 7 and 6 respectively.
Requires F-35 Low Rate Initial Production Lot (LRIP) 6 and all subsequent LRIP contracts to be negotiated as fixed price contracts, with the contractor assuming full responsibility for excess costs.
Includes Chief of National Guard Bureau as member of the JCS and re-designates the Director of the Joint Staff of the National Guard Bureau as the Vice Chief of NGB.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Air Force to purchase as a block, 2 Advanced Extremely High Frequency Satellites using a fixed price contract and with incremental funding for a period of 6 years.
Includes a provision affirming that the Department of Defense has the capability, and upon direction by the President may conduct offensive operations in cyberspace subject to the policy principles and legal regimens for kinetic capabilities, and the War Powers Resolution.
Does not prohibit TRICARE Prime enrollment fee increases in fiscal year 2012 and limits annual increases of the fee to the amount equal to the percentage increase in retired pay beginning on October 1, 2012.
Authorizes a 1.6 percent across-the-board pay raise for all members of the uniformed services, consistent with the President’s request.
Prohibits the Secretary from proceeding with restricting of the military health care system until GAO assesses a report by the Secretary of Defense on options developed and considered for governance of the military health system.

Happy 375th Birthday National Guard!

2011-12-13T03:00:00.001-05:00

Today, the National Guard celebrates its 375th birthday. On behalf of the Air Force Association, we would like to commend the men and women of the National Guard for centuries of dedication. The National Guard has done an indispensable service to this nation, more than ever in the past decade responding to natural disasters and terrorist attacks on U.S. soil.

Known originally as the militia, the National Guard predates the Declaration of Independence as well as the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps. The military organization we know today as the National Guard was established with a direct declaration on December 13, 1636, when the General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony ordered all able-bodied men between the ages of 16 and 60 were required to join the militia. The goal was to increase the militias' accountability to the colonial government and responsiveness in conflicts with indigenous Native Americans.

Due to the changing threat environment that now includes more asymmetrical dangers and threatens our homeland, the roles of the Army National Guard and Air National Guard have changed extensively, with significant numbers of guardsmen having seen combat now in both Iraq and Afghanistan.

And after 375 years, the Guard’s contribution to the nation’s defense has remained paramount.

Understanding for the Military Tuition Assistance program

2011-12-12T15:06:00.000-05:00

Just last week AFA's President and CEO Mike Dunn sent a letter to Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta urging a temporary delay in the issuance of the DoD MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) for the Military Tuition Assistance program in order to assure maximum participation by post-secondary education institutions. Currently, institutions offering programs to service members on campus, on base, on ship, and at a distance must now sign and comply with the MOU by Jan 1, 2012, or they will no longer be able to collect military tuition assistance from their military students.

And today, POLITICO announced that a group of at least 50 lawmakers will also ask Panetta to delay the implementation of the memorandum. In a letter, the lawmakers say the memorandum "was drafted in such a way as to infringe on the educational integrity and academic plans of our nation's colleges and universities. As such the MOU has failed to gain support from many of the nation's best colleges and universities." POLITICO obtained an advance copy of the letter, which can be read here: http://images.politico.com/global/2011/12/th_mou_letter_to_panetta2.pdf.

27th Annual Air Warfare Symposium only two months away!

2011-12-12T11:26:00.002-05:00

As asymmetric threats around the world continue to emerge, there comes pressure to defend the aerial space from potential warfare. At the same time, budgets are declining as the current war efforts wind down, and military leaders have tough choices to make.

At AFA's 27th annual Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition, expect to hear timely presentations from senior military leaders and aerospace professionals on the issues facing the aerospace community. This year’s Symposium will be held Feb. 23-24, 2011, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Hotel in Orlando, Florida. Last year’s symposium included the top echelon in Air Force leadership, with Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force General Norton A. Schwartz and Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy leading conference addresses.

Identifying and addressing the challenges facing the aerospace community is imperative—eliciting the need for a national event to share critical information. The Air Warfare Symposium and Technology Exposition is an opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue, discussing advances in aerospace technology, the challenges that still present themselves to our national defense, and strategies to help understand the power of aerial warfare.

Confirmed Speakers Include:

Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz
Gen.C. Robert Kehler, U.S. Strategic Command
Gen. William M. Fraser, U.S. Transportation Command
Gen. Craig R. McKinley, National Guard Bureau
Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, Air Force Materiel Command
Gen. Gary L. North, Pacific Air Forces
Gen. Edward A. Rice, Air Education & Training Command
General William L. Shelton, Air Force Space Command
Gen. Mark A. Welsh, United States Air Forces in Europe
Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force James A. Roy
Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner, Air Force Reserve Command
Lt. Gen. Harry M. Wyatt, Air National Guard
Lt. Gen. Eric E. Fiel, Air Force Special Operations Command
Lt. Gen. James M. Kowalski, Global Strike Command

Also, exhibits highlighting aerospace technology and education, sponsored by leading aerospace companies, will be on display as part of the Technology Exposition.

Find out more at the Air Warfare Symposium site.

Note from AFA President -- AFA member op-eds

2011-12-10T03:00:00.004-05:00

In the past couple of weeks our members have written some very good op-eds. Here are a few of the best:

In a piece in the Knoxville News, Jim O’Brien from Knoxville, TN, makes the point that the cuts caused by failure of the Super Committee not only endanger national security, but they don’t even begin to address the twin issues of our national deficit and our national debt. You can find the piece at: http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2011/dec/03/jim-obrien-automatic-cuts-endanger-security/

David Radcliffe, Las Vegas NV, writes about the Air Force’s old aircraft – some of which were built in the Eisenhower Administration. He believes our aircrews deserve better than to be sent to war in decrepit equipment. You can find the piece at: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2011/OldAircraft.asp

Arthur MacFadden, Lookout Mountain, GA, writes about how to cut the defense budget. He posits there are 5 major categories of funding – R&D (the future), Acquisition (already too low), Military Construction (not large by any measure), O&M (funds flight hours, civilian personnel, training, etc – can’t have a hollow force), and Military Personnel. He argues we should “leverage our technology to … rely on Air, Space, Cyber, and Naval strategy. You can find his piece at: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2011/How_to_Cut_Defense.asp

Ed Mechenbier, Dayton, OH, reviews our relations with Pakistan in the aftermath of a NATO airstrike on two Pakistani military posts. He notes the cooling off period imposed by Pakistan is probably healthy. He notes we have alternatives to the most recent imposed Pakistani restrictions and they revolved around Airpower. He asks the question: Is Pakistan a Friend or a Foe … then answers his own question with: “Yes.” You can find the piece at: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2011/Pakistan.asp

Rick Gibbs, Murrieta, CA, takes on a volatile issue of the “2% tax holiday.” He states: “Yes, we would all like to pay zero taxes … and we are prone to support those in the Administration and the Congress who want to “give us our money back.” However, there are items in the federal budget that we must support … and we must support with our taxes. One such item is defense spending.” Further, he says we are on a path to cut defense spending by 20% -- an untenable number. He closes with: “Perhaps Presidents Kennedy and Reagan were not wrong in their decisions to stimulate the economy by increasing defense spending. Something to think about.” You can find the piece at: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2011/Holiday_from_Stimulus.asp

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Washington Perspective -- Defense Authorization Bill, Medals, TA

2011-12-09T08:30:00.001-05:00

Today the House and the Senate meet in conference to hammer out the details of the 2012 Defense Authorization bill. There are quite a few “people issues” to be determined. The military coalition has weighed in on a number of them. See our letter here: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/2011/FY12_NDAA_TMC_Cover_letter.pdf

Here is the matrix of all the issues [warning: 17 pages]: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/2011/FY12_NDAA_TMC_Matrix_for_Conferees.pdf

Note that the Air Force Association and the Air Force Sergeants Association do not support the creation of a Unified Medical Command. Lot’s of reasons for that. We believe the needs of each Service are best handled by the Service, rather than putting all medics into one command. Also note that AFA and AFSA were alone in this view. Note AFA’s and AFSA’s asterisks are on the last page.

Secondly, we joined an Amicus brief making it a crime to falsely claim to have been awarded a medal. You can see the brief here [warning: It’s 64 pages in “legalese”]: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/2011/United_States_v_Alvarez_amicus_brief.pdf

Finally, yesterday I sent a letter to Sec Panetta urging a temporary delay in the issuance of the DOD memorandum of Understanding for the Military Tuition Assistance program – in order to assure maximum participation by post-secondary education institutions. You can find the letter here: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/2011/TA_letter.pdf.

For your consideration. Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Tribute to the 70th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor

2011-12-07T12:00:00.000-05:00

December 7, 1941, is a date that will always be remembered in U.S. history. It was a day where this nation found itself being attacked on its own soil, falling victim to a surprise aerial attack by the Imperial Japanese Navy that claimed the lives of more than 2,000 Americans, including 68 civilians. The events propelled the U.S.’s involvement in World War II, and the following day this nation declared war on Japan.

Below are a few pictures from the National Archives and an AP photo of the devastation from that fateful day.

A small boat rescues a crew member of the USS West Virginia from the water. (AP Photo)

Note from AFA President -- Pearl Harbor, China, Iran

2011-12-07T08:00:00.000-05:00

Today marks the 70th anniversary of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. While the attack was a shock, it could have been much worse. Had the Japanese targeted our aircraft carriers, or had they continued with their attack in the form of an “air campaign,” it might have spelled disaster for the United States. In fact, I maintain it was this attack that caused a national awakening of the speed, range, and capability of Airpower. Ms Merri Shaffer of the AFA staff has put this idea into an op-ed. To interest you, one paragraph from the piece:

“The remembrance of the "sneak attack" on Pearl Harbor should continue to fuel a determination to maintain key Airpower competencies -- air superiority, long range attack, space superiority, and airlift. We should not take for granted military assets. The Pearl Harbor anniversary will always remain a stark lesson in the need for preparedness and the use of Airpower in an air campaign at the strategic level.”

You can find the piece on our website at: http://www.afa.org/EdOp/2011/Pearl_Harbor.asp

Secondly, I ran across a piece on China that could be considered prescient. It was written by Dr. Gordon G. Chang. In the piece, he argues that the Chinese economy has begun to falter; this will put pressure on the Chinese Communist Party; more power will flow to the military; and the result is the regime will be more dangerous than ever. You can find the piece at: http://www.thedaily.com/page/2011/12/03/120311-opinions-column-china-bust-chang-1-3/

Finally, in a note two weeks ago on Iran [see: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/Notes/Notes_11-16-11.pdf] I left off the link to the piece by Stephen Rademaker and Blaise Misztal. It appeared in the Washington Post. It is a semi-technical look at Iran’s nuclear program that comes to the conclusion “ … there is no basis for concluding that the threat posed by Iran’s program has been diminished. To the contrary, it continues to grow at an alarming rate.” You can find the piece at: http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-growing-threat-of-irans-nuclear-program/2011/11/04/gIQAiguIxM_story.html?tid=sm_btn_twitter

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Washington Perspective -- Taxes, Senate Armed Services bill

2011-12-07T03:00:00.004-05:00

This week Congress is working on whether to extend the so-called “payroll tax holiday.” At issue is how to pay for it. This is not a trivial problem as extending it will add $240B to the deficit. What is not generally carried by the media is the tax cut is a cut on Social Security taxes. Before the cut, the individual paid 6.2% and the employer paid 6.2%. This year the individual’s share was 4.2% and the Administration has proposed extending it to next year. Also under discussion is whether this cut hastens the time when the social security trust fund runs out of money … as well as how effective this short-term stimulus might be at improving the economy and jobs picture.

Secondly, the Senate passed the Defense Authorization Act, paving the way for a House-Senate conference. Notably the Senate then adopted about 40 amendments as a package. They include one that would require the Pentagon to be able to audit its financial statements by 2014.

The block of amendments also included one by Sen Collins (R-ME), Sen Shaheen (D-NH) and Sen Casey (D-PA) that would require an intelligence assessment of the threat of shoulder-fired missiles emanating from Libya and the development and implementation of a strategy to mitigate the peril (as well as reports to Congress on both).

Also included was an amendment by Sen Casey that would withhold however much money is authorized in the final bill for the Pakistan counterinsurgency fund until Congress gets a certification from the administration that Islamabad is making "significant efforts" toward combating improvised explosive devices, which are killing U.S. troops in Afghanistan after most are made with fertilizer produced in Pakistan.

Probably more than you want to know, but (thanks to CQ) here is the full list of amendments approved in that block:

· Wicker amendment to provide for the freedom of conscience of military chaplains with respect to the performance of marriages. (#1056)

· Ayotte amendment to modify the Financial Improvement and Audit Readiness Plan to provide that a complete and validated full statement of budget resources is ready by not later than September 30, 2014. (#1066)

· Inhofe amendment to require a report on the feasibility of using unmanned aerial systems to perform airborne inspection of navigational aids in foreign airspace. (#1102)

· Wicker amendment to improve the transition of members of the Armed Forces with experience in the operation of certain motor vehicles into careers operating commercial motor vehicles in the private sector. (#1116)

· Shaheen amendment to authorize the acquisition of real property and associated real property interests in the vicinity of Hanover, New Hampshire, as may be needed for the Engineer Research and Development Center laboratory facilities at the Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory. (#1122)

· Reid amendment to redesignate the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Hospital in Nevada as the Mike O’Callaghan Federal Medical Center. (#1129)

· Reid amendment to clarify certain provisions of the Clean Air Act relating to fire suppression agents. (#1130)

· McCain amendment to require a plan to ensure audit readiness of statements of budgetary resources. (#1132)

· Blunt amendment to require a report on the policies and practices of the Navy for naming the vessels of the Navy. (#1134)

· Hagan amendment to require the Comptroller General to review medical research and development sponsored by the Department of Defense relating to improved combat casualty care and saving lives on the battlefield. (#1143)

· Begich amendment to authorize a land conveyance and exchange at Joint Base Elmendorf Richardson, Alaska. (#1149, as modified)

· Warner amendment to provide for the consideration of energy security and reliability in the development and implementation of energy performance goals. (#1162)

· Warner amendment to promote increasing acquisition and procurement exchanges between officials in the Department of Defense and defense officials in India. (#1164)

· Warner amendment to express the sense of Congress on the use of modeling and simulation in Department of Defense activities. (#1165)

· Warner amendment to express the sense of Congress on ties between the Joint Warfighting and Coalition Center and the Allied Command Transformation of NATO. (#1166)

· Warner amendment to require a report on the effects of planned reductions of personnel at the Joint Warfare Analysis Center on personnel skills at the Center. (#1167, as modified)

· Murray amendment to extend the number of years that multiyear contracts may be entered into for the purchase of advanced biofuels. (#1178, as modified)

· Collins amendment relating to man-portable air-defense systems originating from Libya. (#1180, as modified)

· Sessions amendment to require the maintenance of a triad of strategic nuclear delivery systems. (#1183, as modified)

· Coburn amendment to require the Comptroller General of the United States reports on the major automated information system programs of the Department of Defense. (#1207, as modified)

· Nelson (FL) amendment to require an assessment of the advisability of stationing additional DDG-51 class destroyers at Naval Station Mayport, Florida. (#1210)

· Casey amendment to require a certification on efforts by the Government of Pakistan to implement a strategy to counter improvised explosive devices. (#1215, as modified)

· McCain-Portman amendment to require a Comptroller General report on redundancies, inefficiencies, and gaps in DOD 6.1-6.3 Science and Technology (S&T) programs. (#1227)McCain-Portman amendment to require a Comptroller General report on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) initiatives. (#1228)

· Shaheen amendment to require a Department of Defense assessment of the industrial base for night vision image intensification sensors. ($1237) • Warner amendment to provide for installation energy metering requirements. (#1240)

· McCain amendment to provide for increased efficiency and a reduction of Federal spending require for data servers and centers. (#1245)

· McCain amendment to require the Secretary of Defense to submit a report on the probationary period in the development of the short take-off, vertical landing variant of the Joint Strike Fighter. (#1250)

· Warner amendment to establish a training policy for Department of Defense energy managers. (#1266)

· Baucus amendment to require a pilot program on the receipt by members of the Armed Forces of civilian credentialing for skills requires of military occupational specialties. (#1276)

· McCain amendment to require the Secretary of Defense to submit, with the budget justification materials supporting the Department of Defense budget request for fiscal year 2013, information on the implementation of recommendations made by the Government Accountability Office with respect to the acquisition of launch services through the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. (#1280)

· McCain amendment to require a plan for normalizing defense cooperation with the Republic of Georgia. (#1281, as modified)

· Webb amendment to extend the time limit for submittal of claims under TRICARE for care provided outside the United States. (#1298)

· Levin amendment to authorize the award of the distinguished service cross for captain Frederick L. Spaulding for acts of valor during the Vietnam War. (#1301)

· Levin amendment to authorize the exchange with the United Kingdom of certain F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter Aircraft. (#1303)

· Hatch amendment to require the Secretary of Defense to submit to Congress a long-term plan for maintaining a minimal capacity to produce intercontinental ballistic missile solid rocket motors. (#1315)

· Portman amendment to require a report on the analytic capabilities of the Department of Defense regarding foreign ballistic missile threats. (#1317)

· Cochran amendment to extend the authorization for a military construction project for the Air National Guard to relocate a munitions storage complex at Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport, Mississippi. (#1324)

· Risch amendment to require exploration of opportunities to increase foreign military training with allies at test and training ranges in the continental United States. (#1326)

· Lieberman amendment to require a report on the approval and implementation of the Air Sea Battle Concept. (#1332)
Finally, we expect both House and Senate Appropriations bills to come to the floor next week as part of a very large omnibus bill.

For your consideration. Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Note From the President -- Business items

2011-12-04T03:00:00.003-05:00

AFA members, as we approach the Christmas and Hanukkah seasons, we all should consider gifting a membership in AFA for your spouse, children, grandchildren, or friends. There’s no better way to support the Air Force, in these troubling times, than helping us help them. You can do this online at: https://www.afa.org/newforms/membership.aspx

Secondly, the end of the year is a good time to consider your financial portfolio and determine if you have enough insurance coverage. AFA is pleased to offer high quality products from MetLife and from USAA to complete your positive financial picture.

AFA insurance products are clearly the most popular of all of the Member Benefit programs. And for good reason. AFA term life insurance policies contain no war clause so acts of war and terrorism are covered. Flying personnel are covered at the same premium and coverage amounts as the rest of the group.

Level Term Life Insurance - Members under age 65 may apply for $25,000 of level term life insurance for as little as $1.04 per month (for ages 20-29), up to $19.95 (for ages 60-64). You may purchase coverage in units of $25,000; up to a maximum of $300,000. AFA’s group life insurance programs are underwritten by MetLife, a strong partner of AFA for many years.

Accidental Death Insurance – All AFA Members are automatically preapproved for Accidental Death insurance, regardless of age or health. AFA’s MetLife policy is unique because coverage never decreases (and premiums don’t increase) when you reach a certain age. You may continue the coverage indefinitely at the same low premiums as the rest of the group.

Dental Insurance – Members have been extremely satisfied with the MetLife Dental Insurance coverageprovided to Members. You’ll have the freedom to visit any dentist and can be covered for preventive, basic and complex procedures.

Visit www.afavba.org/insurance for information and applications for AFA/MetLife insurance programs.

Group Legal Services - AFA’s group legal services is provided by Hyatt Legal, a MetLife company. Interested Members MUST ENROLL BY DEC 28th for calendar year 2012. Pay $211.80 and you, your spouse and eligible dependent children are covered for many legal services throughout the year. Visit www.afavba.org/legal for full details and to enroll. I’ve heard praises from former JAGs that they used and liked the service they received under this program.

AFA/USAA Rewards™ World MasterCard® - AFA’s credit card is issued by USAA. Get a 0% intro APR for 12 months. After that, APRs are as low as 10.9%(remove a space here). Choose from 9 exclusive AFA card designs including the Air Force Memorial, the Honor Guard, a variety of aircraft, satellites and missiles. All AFA Members are eligible to apply for the AFA Rewards MasterCard, whether or not you are eligible for USAA membership. Visit www.usaa.com/afacc.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Washington Perspective -- Military Coalition goals

2011-12-03T03:00:00.001-05:00

AFA members, many of you don’t know the great work AFA does for you on the Hill – both in support of the Air Force and for you personally.

One way we do this is to coordinate our Hill efforts with other veterans groups. We call this the Military Coalition, and we collectively represent about 5.5 million veterans.

Every year in the fall we hash out goals for the upcoming year. Sometimes we cannot agree; sometimes one or more groups “opt out” of a specific goal.

We have put the 2012 goals on our website at: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerspective/goals2012.asp

Take a moment to scroll through them to see what we are trying to achieve. Some of the papers on the web are labeled “draft” – but in reality all of them are final … as of two days ago.

If you have any thoughts on them, send them to me.

Thanks, in advance. Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Air Force Week in Photos

2011-12-02T12:20:00.002-05:00

Each week, the Air Force creates a slideshow that showcases the men and women of the Air Force through pictures. This week's theme featured Airmen around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America.

Take the time to check out some of the great photography and activities that our Airmen are doing throughout the world: http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123282004

Photo courtesy of the U.S. Air Force

AFA’s 2011 Fall Pitsenbarger Awards Support CCAF Graduates

2011-12-01T11:21:00.001-05:00

AFA today announced the fall recipients of the 2011 Pitsenbarger Awards, recognizing outstanding individuals from across the country who are pursuing higher education!

The award is named for William H. Pitsenbarger, an Airman First Class who gave his life in Vietnam defending his comrades. For his heroism, he was posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross on June 30, 1966, which was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 2000.

AFA’s Pitsenbarger Awards provide a one-time grant of $400 to selected top USAF enlisted personnel graduating from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) who plan to pursue a baccalaureate degree. The grants coincide with the CCAF graduation ceremonies held each Spring and Fall.

Congratulations to all the recipients! A list of the 2011 Pitsenbarger Award recipients can be found here.

CyberPatriot IV Update

2011-11-29T10:18:00.001-05:00

AFA's CyberPatriot is preparing for another round of competition this weekend, with the All Service Division entering the second preliminary round.

In the meantime, the headquarters staff has been working even harder to expand the educational reach of the competition, which includes the addition of a forensics element in the national finals competition and the completion of a pre-competition survey.

During the National Finals Competition of CyberPatriot IV, 24 teams of finalists will compete in a new forensics exercise, teaching about and testing high school competitors on the exciting field of cyber forensics through the application of crime scene analysis, evidence gathering and critical thinking. The expansion to the competition has been made possible by the Defense Cyber Crime Center.

And after distribution to 1,000-plus student competitors, CyberPatriot IV’s pre-competition survey was completed earlier this month, gathering information on participants’ general knowledge of all things cyber. The survey asked questions addressing students’ overall understanding of cyber security and their likeliness to pursue a career is science, technology, engineering and/or mathematics. Results will be compared with a similar survey after the completion of this year’s competition. This survey is an analytical effort to measure the effect CyberPatriot is having on the students who participate in the competition.

“This competition is about academic growth and teaching beyond the fundamental curriculum found in schools,” said Bernie Skoch, CyberPatriot Commissioner.

Note from AFA President -- Dover, Sequester, Thanksgiving

2011-11-24T03:00:00.000-05:00

AFA Members, Congressional Staffers, Civic Leaders, DOCA Members,

Last week AFA held its Global Warfare Symposium in LA. We had some great speakers - to include Secretary of the Air Force Donley, Vice Chief of Staff General Breedlove, Gen Shelton, Lt Gen James and others. We will be putting transcripts of the speeches on our website … but there were several which brought out great points.

Secretary Donley addressed the issue with the Air Force Mortuary Affairs operation at Dover. He called this a violation of a “sacred trust” and that he and General Schwartz take full responsibility and take corrective action is well underway. Addressing the “Super Committee”, he thinks there will be some serious rethinking of service expenditures in the coming years, especially if the Budget Control Act's sequester mechanism takes effect. However, he said he doubts that any solution would involve the services taking a blanket meat cleaver-style uniform cut without consideration of strategy and goals. [He also said the AF share of the budget was 21% -- a number that surprised many.] You can find the transcript here at http://www.afa.org/events/NatlSymp/2011/default.asp

Gen Breedlove’s talk centered on the upcoming budget challenges facing the Air Force. He said the Air Force is planning for far deeper cuts resulting in a smaller Air Force and will put the nation “at a significant level of risk.” Sequester would compel the Air Force to cut, even further, … meaning contracts would be broken, missions would have to be looked at and base closings may have to be undertaken.

The rest of the speeches will be put on our website next week - probably mid-week. Check our website at: http://www.afa.org/ then click the Global Warfare Symposium button on the right side of the home page.

Finally, as we celebrate Thanksgiving, we need to remember the sacrifices of our great Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Coast Guardsmen, and civilians serving in harm's way - protecting our freedom. There has been a lot happening in the world of late, a military drawdown and uncertainty in Iraq and Afghanistan, a war in Libya, unrest in Yemen, Tunisia, Egypt, and Syria. Our young men and women are there on the tip of the spear ready to serve. Let’s not forget them this day and those returning from the fight who need our help as they transition back to civilian life. Let’s also remember our wounded warriors who need our help to repair their lives as they move on as they have made the sacrifice that makes such days as Thanksgiving possible.

For your consideration,

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

GWS Air Force Ball

2011-11-19T12:31:00.015-05:00

The end of the Global Warfare Symposium is always marked by the annual Air Force Ball. As a vital part of AFA heritage, we celebrate the great accomplishments by individuals who have made significant contributions to aerospace. During dinner the General Thomas D. White Space Award went to Lt. Gen Larry James, and the General Bernard A. Schriever Fellowship to Richard McKinney. San Francisco Giants Closer Brian Wilson gave the Inaugural Michael Wilson Scholarship to Cadets Kaleb Simpson and Alexander Shuler, with touching words on his father's legacy of patriotism.

SF Giants Pitcher Brian Wilson greets the crowd.

Also, we had a bit of a Hollywood treat. Actor Marcus Paulk and other representatives from Lucasfilm showed the trailer for Red Tails, the story of the Tuskegee Airmen, which will be debuting early 2012.

Actor Marcus Paulk spent time with two Tuskegee Airmen in honor of the Lucasfilm Red Tails movie.

It was a momentous evening and a great end to a powerful week of discussion.For further information on the topics from the Symposium, look to Air Force Magazine's Daily Report. Transcripts are also available at http://www.afa.org/.

Day Two of GWS

2011-11-18T19:24:00.002-05:00

Day Two of GWS began with an Air Force Update from Gen Phillip Breedlove, Vice Chief of Staff of the U.S. Air Force. Aware of upcoming budget cuts he recognized that the Air Force will get smaller, but was adamant that we will not go hollow--stating that he "do(es) not believe that we should go into a fight and NOT have the upper hand." Take Away: We must find a way to reduce capacity while maintaining capability. Recent history has given us many firsts in working as a team, rather than in separate stovepipes, with our allies, and must continue as we will have more daunting foes further from our bases. It is critical for us to work with the Navy in an Air-Sea partnership. This united message will tell all enemies to cease their aggression.

Continuing the Air-Sea debate, Dr. Alan Vick of RAND Corp. spoke again on “Forging an Air-Sea Partnership for the 21st Century.” Lt Gen David Deptula (Ret., USAF), the first Deputy Chief of Staff for Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, chimed in from the audience on a few issues in what was a great discussion. Dr. Vick led the audience through this history of joint ventures, such as the Old War precedent of AirLand Battle with the Air Force and the Army, further catalyzed by the Yom Kippur War of 1973. Take Away: While joint structures should allow services to work together, Dr. Vick suggested that Air-Sea should be modeled on a combination of AirLand and War Plan Orange, which in combination would cover long- and short-term planning. Future problems will be in anti-access threats, information disruptions, incentives for the enemy to strike first, and US vulnerability, which will raise the costs of conflict. Working together, we can ensure reliable information flows to decision-makers.

Secretary Michael Donley wrapped up the conference with the State of the Air Force. The theme of the conference was teamwork, and cautious hope for the future through budget cuts. Donley continued with this, facing obstacles while insisting that it's not all bleak. Everything is on the table for consideration for the sustainability of the Air Force. He committed to standards of proper care for our fallen, and remarked on the stewardship of the Federal budget, accepting some risk to our security and the need to drive efficiency. Preserving Air Force core missions, Donley spoke of sustaining post 9/11 improvements, air superiority, and freedom of action in space, and maintaining an Air Force presence in every state. He closed with faith that the Air Force will keep evolving despite strained resources.

AFA Announces 2011 Michael Wilson Scholarship Recipients

2011-11-18T15:09:00.004-05:00

Today, AFA announced the first recipients of its newest scholarship, the Michael Wilson Scholarship, a fund created earlier this year that annually grants two Air Force ROTC cadets in the United States money toward college.

The 2011 recipients of the Michael Wilson Scholarship are Cadet Kaleb Simpson, a junior at the University of Delaware, and Cadet Alexander Shuler, a senior at the University of Washington. The pair will be presented their award tonight at AFA’s Global Warfare Symposium in Los Angeles, California.

This significant scholarship was established through Brian Wilson, pitcher for Major League Baseball’s San Francisco Giants. Wilson established this scholarship to recognize the honor, commitment to service, and legacy of his father, Michael Wilson. The gift is the largest scholarship given by an individual to be administered by the Air Force Association in its 65 year history.

“The purpose of this scholarship program is to recognize AFROTC cadets coming into their junior or senior year who’ve demonstrated a remarkable level of commitment to both their organization and their studies,” said George Muellner, Vice Chairman of the Board for Aerospace Education. “These two recipients are well-deserving of this award, illustrating great leadership and talent that have set them apart from their peers.”

Read more here >>

2011 Global Warfare Symposium Wrap-Up

2011-11-18T08:00:00.019-05:00

AFA has relocated to the west coast this week as we gathered in Los Angeles, CA to bring together AFA members, industry partners, Air Force Councils and all attendees for two days of discussing global warfare--from space and cyber priorities to ISR and AirSea Battle. While the tone was a somber one, admittedly looking towards the upcoming budget cuts without any delusion of what they will mean for our Force, speakers looked forward with hope.

Wednesday and Thursday began with the Enlisted, Air National Guard, Reserve, and Company Grade Officers Councils taking part in meetings. These councils gather at AFA Symposiums to tackle unpopular issues, fully cognizant of the importance of saving money while protecting the interest of Air Force families. Flight pay, separation pay, educational benefits and more were fleshed out to write persuasive position papers and reports in the coming months.

The actual Symposium sessions began with a welcome from AFA's Chairman of the Board Sandy Schlitt, followed by a presentation by General William Shelton, Commander, Air Force Space Command, entitled “The Foundational Role Space and Cyber Play in our Nation's Defense.” General Shelton discussed "launch business," encouraging competition to help drive down increasing costs while managing risk. Take Away: The Air Force has an unparalleled track record for launches, which should not change. What should change is buying practices, perhaps with bulk orders, which will improve predictability and provide parts in a larger quantity. We will rely on industry to help define different architectures while recognizing that resilient systems will offer cross mission/domain alternatives with cost efficiency. Serious about stretching every dollar, Gen Shelton advises all commanders to be cost conscious and to understand that "there won't be additional money" in the future. He recognized that this is not an upbeat topic, but one that we need to hear, with faith that the Force will be very capable.

This year, the Global Warfare Symposium included several breakout sessions, including one addressing the Challenges to the American Way of War with Dr. Alan Vick of RAND Corp. Using the definition of American Was as rapid deployment, rear area sanctuaries for US Forces, and closely monitoring enemy activities, he suggests that the anti-access threat will be disruptive to American military dominance and hinder our ability to project power with potentially serious consequences. Citing prior "disruptive innovations" such as the telephone replacing the telegraph, something like the conventional ballistic missile could become dangerous in the hands of an enemy with the technology to displace ours.

Later in that day, Maj Gen Suzanne Vautrinot advocated for "full spectrum operations" in the cyber domain in her talk on Cyber Operations: Maximizing the Return on Investment. Cyber attack in the military is a serious attack, so there is a need every day for us to be on offense, defense, and exploitation. Orders in cyber are the same as in other domains, with cyber being inherently Joint in air, space, land and sea. "Cyber" must become a part of the solution, as much as a part of the mission, because "we have to fly the network every single day."

Lt Gen Ellen Pawlikowski then moderated a panel of industry professionals, “Looking to the Future: What Should We Be Doing in the 21st Century.” George Whitesides of Virgin Galactic spoke of space changing drastically in the next five years, most markedly with opening space to anyone willing to pay $200,000 for a flight. Kay Sears of Intelsat General followed with strides the commercial industry can take to help prepare for future fights in space. She urged that the industry should not be seen as a threat, but as an ally in resiliency to defend against hostile attacks and adverse conditions. Elon Musk of SpaceX looked to take us back to the moon and beyond, bringing more launches and working to create sustainable space shuttles which will be reusable. Lt Gen Michael Hammel, USAF (Ret) from Orbital Sciences Corp., also brought up the corporate responsibility with opportunities for government to leverage what's in the private sector, warning that we must change the architecture and buying practices to meet demands.

The day concluded with a viewing of Jay Lavender's film Wounded Warriors' Resilience, which we mentioned here in October. It's a powerful 20-minute video showcasing the resilience of our service members across branches. Definitely a strong end to the first day of the symposium!

AFA's Global Warfare Symposium

2011-11-17T12:52:00.000-05:00

AFA's 2011 Global Warfare Symposium began today in Los Angeles! Throughout this two-day event, senior military leaders, DOD officials and researchers will focus on the global role of the Air Force in the world today and will cover an array of topics, including the Nuclear Enterprise, Cyberspace, Hypersonics, the Pacific and Space!

Make sure you follow AFA on Twitter for updates: http://twitter.com/#!/AirForceAssoc

Also, check out Air Force Magazine's coverage of the event on the Daily Report!

Washington Perspective -- Industrial Base, Letter to HASC

2011-11-17T10:01:00.002-05:00

AFA members, Washington is still seized with the impending actions of the Super Committee. The Committee has to make recommendations for cutting $1.5T or else mandatory cuts of $1.2T will occur (called sequestration) – divided equally between Defense and non-defense accounts. Sequestration will result in approximately $1T net reduction in the defense budget over 10 years [for reference, the Senate Appropriations Committee marked up DOD funding at $513B for FY12.] This is close to a 20% cut in defense spending per year.

Many of you have written back that DOD must pay its share … and the Air Force Association agrees. However, we believe the $450B+ that the President has levied on DOD is quite sufficient, given that, as a percentage of GDP, DOD spending is near an all-time low.

What has not been discussed in the press is the impact sequestration will have on the jobs front. First, most estimates coming from the Department believe cuts of such magnitude will cause DOD to “lay off” upwards of 150,000 troops and tens of thousands of civilians. A new study by Dr. Stephen S. Fuller at George Mason University has given us a hint at the impact on the industrial base. The key findings of the study were as follows:

Total potential job losses (direct, indirect, community): 1,006,315
Total potential aerospace/defense and supply chain job losses: 352,000
Total loss of workers’ wages and salaries: $59.4 billion
Impact on national unemployment rate: + .6%
Impact on projected growth of 2013 Gross Domestic Product: - 25%

The impact on jobs varies by state … but California (-125,800), Virginia (-122,800), Texas (-91.600), Florida (-39,200), and Massachusetts (-38,200) are the ones with the highest numbers of jobs lost.

It isn’t just the defense companies that will be hurt by defense cuts, according to Fuller. “DOD buys from other sectors in the economy,” Fuller said. “Suppliers and other small businesses located in communities with large and small aerospace companies are affected by these cuts. As these companies suffer, so do the businesses further down the supply chain.”

For more information, see: http://secondtonone.org/

Secondly, late last month, Barry Watts: Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments, Fred Downey: Aerospace Industrial Association, and Pierre Chao: Center for Strategic and International Studies testified on the industrial base before a panel of the House Armed Service Committee. We’ve captured a number of quotes from the transcript. See: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerscective/2011/Oct_24_HASC_Industrial_Base.pdf

A couple to interest you:

Downey: “The industrial base that existed then does not exist today. It’s a far cry from the military industrial complex of the Eisenhower era. In the 20 years since the Cold War, nearly 150 significant defense companies have consolidated into 6. A number of companies left the market. Almost none have entered it.”

Chao: “Exports controls are absolutely critical to this category, where we’re not getting inside the technology because people are afraid to put technology inside the US because they can’t get it out again….”

Finally, this week a few AFA members penned a letter to the Chairman, Subcommittee on Readiness, House Armed Services Committee – Randy Forbes (R-VA). The letter describes what Airpower can bring to our security. I’m reminded of the quote from a former Senate staff member: “The only thing more expensive than a first-rate Air Force is a second-rate Air Force.”

You can find a link to the letter at: http://www.afa.org/grl/PDFs/Congressman%20Forbes.pdf

For your consideration,

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Note from AFA President -- Iran, Gen Loh 2

2011-11-16T03:00:00.007-05:00

AFA Members, Congressional staff members, civic leaders, DOCA members,

This past week Iran has been in the news. First, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announced the release of an updated report on Iran. Unfortunately the release is not yet public. This group knows I believe it is generally better to read an actual report … rather than read what news agencies say the report says. Secondly, the issue was highlighted in the most recent Republican debate on foreign policy. I was surprised with the number of different views in that debate. Then the President responded to some of the comments coming out of the debate. Sooo … why is this issue important? Simply because the Islamic Republic of Iran has stated that it wants to see a world without Israel and without the United States. In Sep at our Air & Space Conference, Charles Krauthammer called Iran the most dangerous country on the planet.

Over the past two weeks, AFA has found several very-good op-eds on Iran. The best, written by Stephen Rademaker and Blaise Misztal, (I inserted a comma here) appeared in the Washington Post. It is a semi-technical look at Iran’s nuclear program that comes to the conclusion of “ … there is no basis for concluding that the threat posed by Iran’s program has been diminished. To the contrary, it continues to grow at an alarming rate.”

A second piece is by Bret Stephens, and it appeared in the Wall Street Journal. [Apologize in advance for the political statement at the end.] In the piece, Mr. Stephens argues that it is increasingly clear what Iran is doing. And … we need a real debate on what to do about Iran building nuclear weapons. He begins the piece with: “There's no more doubt about Tehran's nuclear-weapons program. How the West will respond remains open to question.” You can find the piece at: http://www.afa.org/edop/2011/RealIranDebate.pdf

What this points to is how difficult this situation is for the US and the international community to handle. There are no clear, easy solutions. [If there were, we would have already implemented them.] And … this impacts not just the US, but our allies, too.

Secondly, Gen Loh has written another piece that appeared in the Suffolk News-Herald. In it General Loh posits that our defense strategy in the future ought to rely on Airpower. The final statement of his piece is powerful:

“If Congress wants to save more dollars on defense, it should preserve the American airpower advantage that ensures our military dominance without 100,000-ground-troop invasions or trillion-dollar nation-building adventures.”

You can find the piece at: http://www.suffolknewsherald.com/2011/11/12/a-defense-strategy-for-the-future/

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

Retired Senior Air Force Leaders Write to the Hill

2011-11-15T10:42:00.001-05:00

Just yesterday, several retired senior Air Force leaders attached their names to a letter to Congressman Forbes, commending him on his new initiative, "Strong Defense, Strong America."

The letter lays out the current environment in which our military men and women find themselves and the many challenges they are already facing.

"The men and women of the US military are balancing an exceedingly broad array of missions—everything from humanitarian relief efforts and challenges in cyberspace to traditional combat operations and nuclear deterrence."

Our servicemembers are doing this in a tense environment, where policy and budget decisions made over the next few months will shape the options available to leaders for decades into the future.

As the Air Force now finds itself in a situation where further acquisition deferment could lead to the eventual cessation of key missions, the authors of the letter request leaders to fully consider the ramifications of the decisions they make today as they seek to guide our nation through this difficult period.

"Just as our legacy fleet has enabled national policy objectives over the past several decades, our future investments will govern the options available to leaders into the 2030s and 2040s. Investing in capable systems will make the difference between success and failure in future wars and between life and death for those who answer the call to serve our nation."

Read the full letter here >>

CyberPatriot Welcomes MIT Lincoln Laboratory as New Sponsor

2011-11-14T12:11:00.001-05:00

AFA recently announced that MIT Lincoln Laboratory has joined the list of prestigious sponsors supporting AFA’s education initiative, CyberPatriot, the national high school cyber security competition.

MIT Lincoln Laboratory is a federally funded research and development center that applies advanced technology to problems of national security. Their research and development activities focus on long-term technology development as well as rapid system prototyping and demonstration.

CyberPatriot, established in 2008 by AFA, is an exciting competition that teaches students how to defend and protect computer systems from cyber threats and potential hackers. CyberPatriot IV kicked off its competition late October 2011, with more than 1,000 teams around the country (and five in Canada) registered to participate.

“We are thrilled to be a part of the National High School Cyber Defense Competition,” said Dr. Eric D. Evans, Director of MIT Lincoln Laboratory. “MIT Lincoln Laboratory has been working to encourage young people to enter the STEM fields, and we look forward to a long relationship with the CyberPatriot program.”

Lincoln Lab joins CyberPatriot as a Cyber Silver sponsor, adding even more energy to the nation’s largest and fastest growing youth cyber challenge.

Washington Perspective -- AFMC cuts, HASC hearing, McCain

2011-11-12T03:00:00.000-05:00

AFA members, last week AFMC announced a restructuring to reduce overhead, streamline decision-making processes, and align missions. Not everyone on the Hill received this well. However, this is just a start. The Air Force has announced it will cut 7,600 net civilian billets as its part of the Presidential directed reduction of the DOD budget. This will impact almost every base in the Air Force. Additionally, we know the service will get smaller and not be able to do many of the things they are now doing. Both the Chief of Staff and the Secretary of the Air Force have said they will avoid any notion of a hollow force. SECDEF Panetta has announced he will look at higher TRICARE fees, fewer troops, and more base closings. Plus he said DOD is also looking at cuts to the nation’s nuclear arsenal and to the F-35 program. Panetta also made clear that our defense strategy will include a shift in US focus to the Pacific.

Secondly, the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) testified before the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) on the Future of the Military Services and the Consequences of Defense Sequestration. [Sequestration would occur if the Super Committee does not come to an agreement on where to cut our deficit.] The result of Sequestration would be another $450B+ cut in defense spending (over 10 years) on top of the President-directed $450B+ cut being planned now. The JCS were unanimous in their concern on the effect of such additional cuts. We have put a few summary quotations on our website at: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerscective/2011/Excerpts_Nov_2nd_HASC_Joint_Chiefs.pdf On the same day the Operations Deputies also testified before the HASC Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces. Lt Gen Carlisle was the AF witness. You can find selected quotes from his testimony at: http://www.afa.org/PresidentsCorner/WashingtonPerscective/2011/Excerpts_from_Nov_2nd_HASC_AirLand_TACAIR2.pdf

Finally, the Congressional Budget Office scored the Sen McCain proposals on TRICARE. AFA’s Daily Report contained some, but not all of the details. McCain’s recommendations would drastically cut military health benefits for all retirees under age 65. First, it would bar retiree participation in TRICARE Prime. Second, it would impose an annual enrollment fee for TRICARE Standard – that looks to us like about $1,500 for a single retiree and $3,500 for a retired family. It would also prevent TRICARE from being a secondary payer for beneficiaries who have civilian employer coverage. Finally, it would raise the annual catastrophic cap on out-of-pocket expenses to $7,500 per family vs. the current $3,000. Total savings from McCain’s proposals appear to be over $100B. The deficit is serious business, but … the Air Force Association believes we should not balance the budget on the backs of those who are fighting and have fought for our nation and its security. If you agree, I’d ask that you send a note to your Members of Congress citing your concerns. The best way to get mail to them is to use regular mail (not email) and mail it to their home offices.

For your consideration.

Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association