CMSAF Rodney J. McKinley, the Air Force’s top enlisted man, told Air Force Magazine, that the service must advance its planned cut of 40,000 personnel to free up dollars earlier to pay for things like fuel. “We can’t afford to stretch this out,” he said. USAF officials also wanted to position the force to be ready to meet whatever circumstances may confront it in three to four years, he added. “We are not going to get this 100 percent right—but we will learn from the mistakes to become more capable.” McKinley emphasized that the force is not simply getting smaller, but more capable as well.
Lt. Gen. Dan Caine, nominee to be chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, told the Senate Armed Services Committee that the Defense Department needs to upgrade its electronic warfare capability and its EW training ranges; just as his predecessor said at his own confirmation hearing.