Panel funds B-52s but not more airmen

Millions included to modernize 76 B-52s
House must act to end drawdown


Panel funds B-52s but not more airmen
By Erik Holmes - Staff writer
Posted : Tuesday May 6, 2008 5:49:47 EDT

The Senate Armed Services Committee’s version of the fiscal 2009 defense spending bill appears to be a mixed bag for the Air Force.

The bill — approved unanimously May 1 — includes funding for more B-52s and seeks to overcome delays in the next-generation communications satellite program, but sets the service’s end-strength at 316,771 rather than the desired 330,000. The bill also defers a decision on whether to buy more F-22s and directs the Air Force to improve nuclear-weapons security and long-term aviation planning.

Senate committee members also approved start-up funding for the new tanker program, despite threats from some House members to withhold funding because of the controversial decision to award the $40 billion deal to a coalition of Northrop and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. rather than to Boeing.

The bill — which weighs in at $612.5 billion for the entire Defense Department — also includes an across-the-board pay raise of 3.9 percent.

But the measures are still far from becoming law. The House Armed Services Committee is expected to announce its version of the bill later this week, and then both the full Senate and House must pass the bills. The differences in the bills will then be worked out in conference.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/05/airforce_budget_050508w/