{"id":16677,"date":"2016-03-16T19:06:18","date_gmt":"2016-03-16T19:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/uncategorized\/2016\/03\/16\/army-air-force-leaders-call-for-more-troops-training-modernization\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T20:25:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T20:25:39","slug":"army-air-force-leaders-call-for-more-troops-training-modernization","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/airforcetimes\/news\/your-air-force\/2016\/03\/16\/army-air-force-leaders-call-for-more-troops-training-modernization\/","title":{"rendered":"Army, Air Force leaders call for more troops, training, modernization"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

This story, originally published on March 16, has been updated.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It will take years \u2014 and billions of dollars \u2014\u00a0to restore the level of <\/span>readiness levels to what they were before\u00a0lost from <\/span>half a decade\u00a0years <\/span>of budget cuts, the leaders of the Army and Air Force told a C<\/span>congressional committee Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Short-term, temporary funding increases will not provide a quick fix\u00a0never be a quick-fix solution<\/span>, they said.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Testifying before the House Armed Services Committee, the service chiefs and secretaries said they do did <\/span>not know how much more <\/span>money it will take\u00a0to reverse the effects of the drawdown, restore readiness levels and modernize equipment while performing\u00a0the necessary modernization <\/span>to combat emerging threats beyond the Islamic State<\/span>. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“As far as what this budget request is, it is minimal,” said acting Army Secretary Patrick Murphy, acting Army secretary, said, re<\/span>addressing the Army’s fiscal 2017 request for $125.1 billion. “We are taking high risk as an Army and as a nation … at this level.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Murphy noted that the cited the <\/span>Army had ‘s level of <\/span>45 brigade combat teams five years ago. They have been reduced to\u00a0, which has downsized to <\/span>31 at a time when operations tempo is high for soldiers for <\/span>carrying out missions\u00a0in the Middle East and for prepositioned assets in Europe for <\/span>deterring a resurgent Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One way to mitigate the risk, if incrementally, would be to\u00a0Offering alternatives for Congressional members to understand the Army\u2019s preparation, Murphy said that <\/span>increase the size of units in the National Guard, double the training they receive, and modernize it, Murphy said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James told the committee that <\/span>the Air Force has 79 fewer fighter squadrons thant<\/span> it had during Operation\u00a0Desert Storm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To sustain the forces, the drawdown must slow and equipment must be modernized, the Army and Air Force chiefs agreed. The Army\u2019s targeted end-strength levels remain at 450,000 in the Regular Army, 335,000 in the Army Guard, and 195,000 in the Reserve.\u00a0 Slowing the drawdown numbers while continuing\u00a0with modernizing equipment is necessary\u00a0to sustain the joint forces, the chiefs echoed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Just because you give us money, does not mean we will be at 90 percent [readiness] the next day,” Murphy saidreiterated<\/span>. The Army\u2019s targeted end-strength levels remain at 450,000 in the Regular Army, and 195,000 in the Reserve.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n