USAF Does The Unthinkable

Strategy Page ^ | 11/28/06

[pabianice]

November 28, 2006: The U.S. Air Force is doing something really unusual, they are cutting back on the amenities that have long served to attract, and keep, the kind of skilled people they needed. It is feared that this move will have a serious negative effect on morale. However, the air force brass see this as the only alternative to something far worse; not enough new aircraft. Faced with huge costs for their new F-22 and F-35 warplanes, a Congress reluctant to be generous, and a war in Iraq and Afghanistan that is being largely fought by the army, the air force sees itself seriously short of cash in the next decade. The war in Iraq is taking money from the air force and diverting it to the army. Already underway is a downsizing that will eliminate 40,000 air force jobs over the next five years. But that will only save about $5 billion a year.

Cutting amenities is not something the air force even likes to talk about, but something official has to be said to explain the large number of fairly obvious changes coming. For decades, the air force has been the butt of jokes, for their more luxurious lifestyle, by sailors, soldiers and marines. Part of it was jealousy, and admiration for how the air force generals managed to get money for all those goodies out of Congress. Making fun of all those golf courses on air force bases was a particular favorite. Going into detail about the cutbacks would, simultaneously, make it known how extensive the amenities are, and elicit some bad publicity once people from the other services chimed in with snarky comments about how much better off the air force people are even after the cuts.

But the air force does have a real problem here, with the morale of their own troops. The 40,000 jobs being lost is causing some anxiety, as does the increased number of air force personnel being sent overseas to support operations in Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere. There are actually several thousand air force support troops, on the ground in Iraq, helping the army move supplies and maintain equipment. These guys and girls are actually in greater danger than the pilots flying the bombers overhead, but that's another story. Meanwhile, a lot of the cutbacks will come from consolidating functions (fewer gyms and dining halls on some bases), as well as cutting back hours and services at other facilities (libraries, rec centers and golf courses.) There might even be a few golf courses closed...

[Caesar Soze]

The AF also coveted ideas and nutured innovation out of it's enlisted force. Try getting that from someone that you feed MREs to and bunk 4 to a room in swealtering temperatures.

This is currently being done. In fact, many of the most innovative enlisted in the Army work under even worse conditions than you've described.

(Assuming you meant nurtured and not neutered.)

[70times7]

The Navy has great pilots. However, this landing on a postage stamp cliche is a farce.

And you base your opinion that discounts the elevated difficulty and reduced margin for error in a carrier landing on what?

Farce projection? This exchange was about the comparitive merits of USN vs ASAF pilots. I was USN. I have spent time w/ pilots. Even USAF pilots admit that it is a whole different ballgame in carrier flight ops (although it could take a few beers). You don't have to like the cliche; you can't deny the the reality it alludes to.

The force projection discussion is down the hall on your right.

[rochester_veteran]

I was AF stationed with the Army in Germany...

I was in 7th Weather Squadron in the late 70's, providing weather support at an Army airfield. We had to live on the economy as the barracks at the kaserne where the airfield was at were substandard. Man, let me tell you how tough it was living in a farmhouse in the middle of spargel fields. My landlady, who we all called "Mama", would cook us lunch everyday and beautiful, young freuleins came to hang out at the house with us and we were forced to drink German beer and wine and go to great rock concerts... man, that was tough duty! :-)

[mbynack]

I spent about six years of my AF career living in 10 man tents, eating MREs, and with no A/C. I did a 179 day tour on the coast of the North Sea during winter, followed immediately by a 179 day tour of Saudi. Both times we lived in tents and ate MREs. I also did a tour with the Marines in Yuma, AZ. It made me wish I was back with the Army.

[SENTINEL]

I'll respectfully disagree with you. I spend my summer weekends motorcycle riding with buddies who are active duty Air Force on Elmendorf here in anchorage. We have had long discussions on the topic. I can assure you it is the case in the Aircraft maintenance fields in 2006.

I agree, it is BS...But in a different way.

[Loud Mime]

I was in 7th WSQ also. Illesheim AAF out of Det 10. I worked Rawinsonde before that.

[kilowhskey]

I was a dogface in VN from 3/67 to 5/69. I had the chance to drive through Phan Rang air base one day and was stunned to see the air conditioned movie theater. The typical Army movie theater of that time consisted of six sheets of plywood painted white with a few benches outside the mess hall. While there, I also spotted a sign which read "Future Home of Happy Valley Dependents School." I'm sure the base civil engineers were serious about it, too.

[Don Carlos]

Well, there ya go! Different times.

[rochester_veteran]

I was in 7th WSQ also. Illesheim AAF out of Det 10. I worked Rawinsonde before that.

I was at Coleman AAF, Det 11, 1976-1979. I think (that was 30 year ago man!) I did a TDY at Illesheim AAF, covering the ROS while guys from the unit were in the field for Reforger. Who knows, it may have been you I was covering for! :-) I also did a bit of Rawinsonde at Vandenberg AFB before going to Germany. Did you also do Rawinsonde School at Chanute? I had a blast in Germany, it was good duty!

[Jet Jaguar]

The AF is still a tougher place to make rank. But, the other services pull stripes quickly as well.

[RinaseaofDs]

The distance to various holes on the base golf course.

[FrankR]

The one thing I noticed when I enlisted in the USAF was, the door was open to everyone who cared to enter and sign up.

You have to ask yourself, do you want to spend 2 or three years doing drills, shining shoes, sleeping outdoors and on 3 inch mattresses, OR, do you want to spend 4 years of basically 9-5 work, fulltime passes, 9 inch mattresses, and some of the best chow around?

So the rank was a little slow in coming, I was single, had a place to sleep and 3 meals a day...plus...I got to be around jets and neat electronic stuff...it was fun. Besides, I get seasick, so USN was out of the question.

[pabianice]

Funny how things work. I wanted to be in the military since I started college. The Vietnam War was on and they needed people. I joined Air Force ROTC. At the end of my freshman year I caught them lying to me so I quit. I then went to the surface Navy and was turned-down for eye sight. I then went to the Coast Guard and weas turned-down for eye sight. The Army was out because or chronic allergies to all trees and grasses. One day I was mooning around the student union when Naval Aviation came to the campus. A young ensign on plowback asked me if I was interested. Heck, yes, I was interested! I explained about my eyes and hay fever and he said, "Well, take the aptitude test. What have you got to lose?" I did well on the test and went for the physical. Rejected for allergies. I applied a second time. Rejected for allergies. I applied a third time. The flight surgeon wrote on my application, "Motivation +++++++++++++!" I was accepted. Twenty eight years later I retired after a fantastic career in the active and reserve navy.