The Air Force’s top uniformed officer told House appropriators last week in a closed door session that lawmakers—or anyone else—should not look to the Air Force budget to pay for Army enhancements. Government Executive obtained a copy of Gen. Michael Moseley’s opening remarks, in which he said, “Those who argue for shortchanging the Air Force to finance a national ground forces ‘reset’ would, quite literally, risk the lives of soldiers and marines—not to mention sailors, Coast Guardsmen, and airmen.” He went on to say that USAF is under “significant risk” in future force structure and readiness. Moseley called recapitalization of the Air Force “urgent,” not “discretionary.” The defense panel of the House Appropriations Committee held closed sessions to discuss readiness issues.
Boeing has only delivered two KC-46 tankers to the Air Force so far in 2021, despite USAF officials saying they expect that total per month, as the service has slowed the delivery pace of the aircraft. Though there are more aircraft ready at Boeing’s facilities, Air Mobility Command is slowing…