{"id":59753,"date":"2017-11-10T00:26:49","date_gmt":"2017-11-10T00:26:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2017\/11\/10\/air-force-officials-return-of-sequestration-would-break-service\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T00:21:39","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T00:21:39","slug":"air-force-officials-return-of-sequestration-would-break-service","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/digital-show-dailies\/reagan-defense-forum\/2017\/11\/10\/air-force-officials-return-of-sequestration-would-break-service\/","title":{"rendered":"Air Force officials: Return of sequestration would \u2018break\u2019 service"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. Air Force\u2019s two top officials issued a dire warning Thursday that if budget sequestration returns, it would \u201cbreak\u201d a service already stretched dangerously thin.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Secretary Heather Wilson and Chief of Staff Gen. Dave Goldfein told reporters that with the service at its current size, the budget cutting mechanism would devastate its capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Both started a Thursday briefing with reporters by calling on Congress to fix the budget situation, with Wilson calling repealing sequestration the \u201cmost important\u201d thing the Hill can do to help the military.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Goldfein said it is time for the Hill to \u201cturn off the autopilot and get back in control of the budget.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf we cannot move past sequester in its current form, we\u2019re going to break this force,\u201d Goldfein added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the core of the Air Force\u2019s concerns: The service ended fiscal year 2017 about 2,000 pilots short of the 20,000 minimum needed, meaning roughly one in ten pilot spots currently is empty. And given that the last round of sequestration massively cut flying hours, with almost a third of planes grounded, Wilson is concerned a return would have lasting repercussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIf we go through sequester again, a 2,000 pilot shortage will be a dream. People will walk,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cWe need to lift sequestration.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t