Richard Shelby: “The commanders have told us, time and time again--and I just got back from my 15th visit to Iraq and 4th to…”

I remain concerned that the Air Force budget request is insufficient considering the needed modernization across the inventory with a rapidly evolving threat.

As Senator Shelby at our Senate testimony hearing last March pointed out to us, we must maintain what we have before we can build new, and I think he hits the mark head-on.

Regrettably, this was all predictable and avoidable.

We have got to get our arms, one, around the inflation first, and then try to boost our defense capabilities in a dangerous world.