DefenceTalkThe United States is facing five global strategic challenges, while at home sequestration poses a great risk to the funding of critical investments, Defense Secretary Ash Carter told lawmakers here today. “Today’s security environment is dramatically different from the last 25 years, requiring new ways of investing and operating,” Carter said at a hearing of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/carter-outlines-security-challenges-warns-against-sequestration-67111/

DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2015 budget submission provides the resources necessary to protect and advance U.S. interests and to execute the updated defense strategy, although at increased levels of risk for some missions relative to the planned funding levels in the FY 2014 budget. This budget complies with the limits established for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/estimated-impacts-of-sequestration-level-funding-59331/

DefenceTalkDespite a congressional budget deal that lessens the impact of sequestration on the Air Force, it doesn’t go far enough to halt actions to shrink the service, senior service officials said. Under Secretary of the Air Force Eric Fanning and Gen. Mark A. Welsh III, the Air Force chief of staff, said that even with […]https://www.defencetalk.com/force-management-programs-necessary-despite-budget-deal-49998/

DefenceTalkIt was an eerie sight at this normally bustling F-16 base. The flight line was completely clear of aircraft. Tools were neatly tucked away, hangars were silent and operations had completely come to a halt. For the 388th Fighter Wing, it meant the start of sequestration, with one fighter squadron forced to reduce flying hours […]https://www.defencetalk.com/struggles-of-sequestration-fighter-wing-gets-creative-during-3-month-down-time-49388/

DefenceTalkOne after another yesterday in a hearing before a House panel, the nation’s service chiefs described how severe budget cuts required by law in fiscal year 2014 would slash their forces, capabilities and readiness and raise security risks to the American people. The House Armed Services Committee heard testimony on planning for sequestration in fiscal […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-military-service-chiefs-detail-2014-sequestration-effects-49136/

DefenceTalkIt’s official. The leadership of this country including the major media outlets have lost their collective minds. Yesterday, the Joint Chiefs of Staff testified before the House Armed Services Committee that if sequestration continues, they could not say with confidence that the U.S. military could successfully handle even one serious conflict! Not a war on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/does-anyone-care-about-the-fate-of-the-us-military-49127/

DefenceTalkArmy operations on the Korean Peninsula remain a top priority and are being protected from the impacts of sequestration, said the Army Pacific Commander. Lt. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski said sequestration has forced the Army to cut back in areas and “given us limitations.” “There are certainly things that we cannot touch and that we […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-operations-on-korean-peninsula-protected-from-sequestration-47803/

DefenceTalkDuring a Senate hearing yesterday on President Barack Obama’s $9.5 billion military construction budget request for fiscal 2014, Defense Department Comptroller Robert F. Hale said the severe and abrupt budget cuts imposed by sequestration are devastating the U.S. armed forces. Hale and John Conger, acting deputy undersecretary of defense for installations and environment, testified on […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-comptroller-sequestration-devastates-u-s-military-readiness-47759/

DefenceTalkThe four branches of the military delivered another warning to Congress April 18 that a prolonged budget sequester will significantly affect military readiness, and could leave the services unable to carry out defense strategy. Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry Spencer told lawmakers sequestration has forced the cancellation of flying hours, the stand-down […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sequestration-will-affect-force-readiness-47564/

DefenceTalkSpeaking to a Senate panel about the effects of sequestration on the national security environment, the director of national intelligence said today that he’s “seen this movie before.” During a Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on current and future worldwide threats, James R. Clapper said he served through the last round of budget cuts 20 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/cuts-make-intelligence-failures-likely-top-intel-official-says-47534/