“You’re basically dismantling crews that have twice as high
mission-capability rates [as other crews],” Brown said. “I don’t get it.”
Testifying before the committee, Air Force Chief of Staff
Gen. Norton Schwartz said the logic behind the decision was to even out the ratio
of personnel on active and reserve duty. When asked by Brown as to what would
happen to those stationed at Westover, Schwartz ensured him that “the team
will remain largely intact.”
{mosads}The cuts to the Air National Guard are just one way in which
the Air Force is attempting to slash $487 billion of dollars in spending over a
10-year period. In a statement issued last month, the National Guard
Association of the United States (NGAUS) said the Air National Guard would
suffer the most under the Air Force’s proposed budget.
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) was also among those whose
expressed concern over the proposed cuts, taking issue with the Air Force’s proposal
to cut hundreds of Air National Guard jobs in her home state of New York.
“I question that decision largely because of the
capabilities that New York has to offer,” she said, noting the state’s
strategic positioning on the eastern seaboard as well as the Canadian border.
“A large military presence [in New York] is… warranted.”
Levin closed the hearing by emphasizing that the Air Force should work more closely with state officials.
“Today’s hearing represented important progress,” Levin said. “Air Force officials
acknowledged that they are discussing their proposed changes with state
governors. Those discussions will hopefully lead to modifications in
their plan.