CMSAF Gerald Murray told legislators that the “extreme stress” that 15 years of combat has levied on USAF equipment has made it “exceedingly difficult, costly, and frustrating” to maintain. “We’re running to stand still, when we should be running to improve our readiness, reduce costs, sharpen our capabilities, get ahead, and stay ahead,” said Murray at a Feb. 15 House Appropriations subcommittee hearing. He added, “These are the frustrations I hear and see every day.”
Members of the House Armed Services Committee say the AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile program has been set back three months due to the ongoing government shutdown. The comment is noteworthy because the JATM's status has been kept tightly under wraps.
