Air Force to Eliminate Nearly 500 Aircraft

Stars and Stripes | Mar 12, 2014 | by Jon Harper

WASHINGTON -- The Air Force plans to cut nearly 500 planes from its inventory over the next five years if the Defense Department's Fiscal 2015 budget request is approved by Congress, the service announced Monday.

The reductions -- which would affect the active duty, Guard and Reserve -- would be implemented in 25 states and the District of Columbia, according to a diagram provided by the Air Force. Only 47 planes would be eliminated overseas at a time when officials are emphasizing the importance of maintaining a strong forward presence to deter adversaries and respond quickly to crises.

The drawdown was necessitated by budget constraints imposed by Congress. The Air Force's proposed base budget is $109.3 billion, down from the $114.1 billion originally proposed for this year, but slightly higher than the $108.8 billion actually enacted by Congress. If sequestration goes back into effect in fiscal 2016, the service's budget would take further hits.

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