Delaware Air National Guard Airmen hear from leadership on proposed Air Force-wide budget cuts

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Benjamin Matwey
  • 166th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
NEW CASTLE, Delaware --  At three Airman's Calls during last month's unit training assembly held Feb. 4-5, 2012 at the New Castle ANG Base, Brig. Gen. Bruce Thompson, Director of Joint Staff, Joint Force Headquarters, Delaware National Guard, briefed the 1,000-person Del. Air Guard force on what is known and unknown about proposed Air Force budget cutbacks and aircraft changes.

On Feb. 3 the Chief of the National Guard Bureau, Gen. Craig McKinley, and the directors of the Air and Army National Guard briefed state adjutant generals and their senior staff, and Delaware ANG unit leadership then briefed Airmen from each group and squadron face-to-face.

The DoD plan calls for $487 billion in DoD budget cuts over 10 years, with about $54 billion of those cuts applying to the Air Force, a loss of 5,100 ANG jobs, and the creation of 15 active-associate wings. Congress is now reviewing those proposals. Further details are expected sometime in March.

Colonel Jonathan Groff, commander, 166th Airlift Wing, highlighted to Airmen the need to keep the focus on health and safety while performing their mission.