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Defense Vice Chiefs warn of budget cut’s pitfalls

The Vice Chiefs cited 10 years of war and a high level of operational activity as the major drivers behind the Pentagon\'s readiness shortfall.

Federal News Network Staff

July 27, 2011 4:40 pm

< a min read

The Vice Chiefs of the military services are telling Congress that budget cuts will cause new readiness risks, DoD Buzz reports.

The House Armed Services Committee’s readiness subcommittee brought in the vice chiefs to describe the potential pitfalls of more defense cuts. The Vice Chiefs cited 10 years of war and a high level of operational activity as the major drivers behind the Pentagon’s readiness shortfall.

Each of the Vice Chiefs told subcommittee Chairman Randy Forbes they’d need a strategic review of their branches to figure out where to cut if they get a smaller budget. Air Force Vice Chief General Philip Breedlove says his force is operating with the oldest fleet in its history, and he says they’re at the “ragged edge” of what they can provide outside Central Command.

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