LIVING OFF THE LAND
“Nothing else works unless our satellites work, and the fear that I have of a Pearl Harbor in space is growing every day. Because we could be blind, deaf and dumb; and spastic and incontinent and impotent, if our near peer adversaries were to launch such a surprise attack. For decades, our Air Force launched satellites without any protection whatsoever. That was a mistake. We’re realizing that mistake too late.”
Rep. Jim Cooper (D-Tenn.) Oct. 7.
Aging in Place
“Having 80 percent of our current fighter inventory from the Reagan Administration is an issue. But it’s the assets from the Johnson, Nixon, Ford, Carter administrations [that should most] concern us.”Gen. Mark. D. Kelly, head of Air Combat Command, speaking at a virtual event hosted by AFA’s Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, Oct. 25.
Family Reunion
“The complete reunification of our country will be and can be realized.”Senior Col. Tan Kefei, spokesperson, China Ministry of National Defense, responding to Pentagon comments on China’s increased military activities in the Taiwan Strait, Oct. 17.
Temperature (and Costs) Rising
“Back in 2008, the [U.S.] put out an Intelligence Community assessment that climate change was a national security risk. The Intelligence Community and the Department of Defense, including on the uniform side, has never wavered from that viewpoint. … You can look at wildfires, you can look at drought, you can look at sea-level rise—all of these affect our readiness, and then there’s the fact that military forces, especially our National Guard forces, get called up more and more frequently to deal with climate-related adverse weather. … All of these are ways that climate change is manifesting increased demand on and requirements for dollars from DOD.” Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks, in an interview with the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Oct. 1.
Worthwhile Investment
“It is disappointing that year after year DOD continues to flat-line F-35 production investments, defer needed readiness funding, and underfund advanced capabilities for this critical fleet. … Mr. President, the F-35 is both affordable and more capable than any other aircraft proposed in the budget; it is a technological marvel that represents the best of American manufacturing. Additionally, there is capacity to deliver additional aircraft which will provide greater capability to our men and women in uniform. … We urge you to direct the DOD to ensure that it is making smart investments in the F-35 program as you prepare your FY23 budget request and Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP).”Oct. 19 letter to President Joe Biden from a bipartisan group of 89 members of the House of
Representatives.
Lost in Translation
“Collectively, we Americans lack an adequate understanding of Chinese culture. We run a significant risk of misinterpretation and missed signals when we project our own perspectives upon Chinese actions and communications.”Secretary of the AirForce Frank Kendall, addressing the Air Force Culture and Language Center and Air University Symposium, Oct. 1
No Shots, No Service
“You are hereby reprimanded! … You failed to follow a direct order…and by doing so have placed yourself and your fellow Airmen in danger. … You have shown you are not committed to maintaining readiness for the Department of the Air Force.”Letter of reprimand sent to an Airman in the 319th Reconnaissance Wing, referencing the Airman’s refusal to take the Covid-19 vaccine. Obtained by DefenseOne.com, Oct. 14.