The Air Force on Friday detailed plans to cut the service by nearly 10,000 active, Air National Guard and Reserve airmen next year, as part of a broad move to downsize and shift capabilities across the country to be better prepared for wars of the future.
More than half of the personnel cuts, and much of the aircraft and equipment moves, will be borne by the Guard, triggering criticism from the National Guard Association.
The Air Force said the service cannot absorb any further cuts in active duty forces because that would limit its ability to respond to multiple crises.
Overall, about 3,900 active duty, 5,100 Guard and 900 reserves would be cut in the next year.
Air Force Secretary Michael Donley and Gen. Norton Schwartz, chief of staff, also laid out details of how the cuts will affect bases across the country, including plans to retire dozens of aircraft and, in many cases, shift others in to take their place.
Email
Facebook
Google
Twitter
Favorites
More
Advertisement