Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman, left, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall, and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, listen to opening remarks during a House Armed Services Committee hearing for the Department of the Air Force fiscal year 2025 budget request, Washington, D.C., Wednesday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
On April 9, Kendall, alongside other top military brass, warned that "time cannot be recovered" after the current year’s budget was finalized in March 2024, instead of Oct. 1, 2023, when the fiscal year began.
"As you are aware, the six-month delay has had a real impact. That time cannot be recovered, but at least we can now move forward with our urgent modernization priorities," Kendall said.
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
Kendall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin, and Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman collectively shared the need for immediate modernization in the face of China's growing military action.
AMERICA MUST OPTIMIZE FORCES TO AVOID LOSING A WAR WITH CHINA, AIR FORCE SECRETARY SAYS
In describing the plans and needs for space, Saltzman highlighted the importance of a robust Space Force.
"Against a near-peer adversary, space superiority is the linchpin. Without it, we cannot deter conflict. Without it, we cannot provide vital effects. Without it, we cannot protect the joint force. Until we have built the infrastructure to achieve space superiority, the Space Force is a work in progress," he said.
Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin testifies before the House Armed Services Committee on Wednesday in Washington, D.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Eric Dietrich)
The Department of the Air Force has requested a $217.5 billion budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025, which is set to begin on Oct. 1.
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"The simultaneous demands of strategic competition with an aggressive and increasingly capable (China) and persistent, acute threats from around the globe require the Air Force to maximize the readiness of today’s forces, while adapting our structures and processes to offer the best opportunity to prevail in an environment of enduring great power competition," Allvin said, adding, "Time is not on our side."
Sarah Rumpf-Whitten is a breaking news writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business.
She is a native of Massachusetts and is based in Orlando, Florida.
Story tips and ideas can be sent to sarah.rumpf@fox.com and on X: @s_rumpfwhitten.
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https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-military-out-time-push-against-adversaries-modernization-air-force-secretary-says