The Secretary of the Air Force, Heather Wilson, says she desperately needs an additional $5 billion for repairs to bases damaged by weather. From Defense One:
“If it does not receive $1.2 billion of those funds by June for repairs at Tyndall Air Force Base and Offutt Air Force Base, service officials warned they would be forced to cut projects at bases in 18 states (here’s the list) and cancel 18,000 pilot training hours.”
Tyndall, in Florida, was hit by Hurricane Michael last October and Offutt, in Nebraska, was inundated by floodwaters this month.
The question is what about the border wall? Money from Pentagon construction projects was supposed to fund the “national emergency.” From Defense One:
“The ultimatum comes as President Trump, through a controversial emergency declaration, is preparing to raid $3.6 billion from the Pentagon’s military construction budget to extend barriers along the U.S. border with Mexico.”
But an Air Force document, released today, says the supplemental money is for the bases is needed now.
Without funds, the Air Force says it will cut pilot training and ground planes. The commandant of the Marine Corps has also said billions more will be needed for repairs to USMC bases from weather damage.