THE TENSION: Pentagon: Air Force Announces Fiscal 2010 Force Structure Realignments

News in Balance:

WASHINGTON, June 26, 2009 -- The following news release made available Friday by the U.S. Department of Defense is the text of a statement announcing the Air Force proposed force structure realignment for fiscal 2010:

Today the U.S. Air Force announced its proposed force structure realignment for fiscal 2010. It reflects adjustments which will provide adequate resources to accomplish the Air Force mission.

"The force structure announcement reflects our best effort to meet the expanding Air Force mission areas and growing joint demands," said Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff.

It includes a summary of military and civilian personnel changes and reassignment of aircraft at Air Force bases for the upcoming fiscal year. It does not include programmatic actions in fiscal 2011 and beyond.

"We've made some hard choices," Schwartz said. "However, we believe this is the best overall design to meet America's national security needs and support to the joint fight."

The announcement specifies the force structure changes experienced by the Total Force-Air Force active duty, Air National Guard, and Air Force Reserve. Implementation of these actions will occur only after completion of appropriate environmental analyses.