The U.S. Air Force has asked for a fiscal 2016 budget that is $10 billion more than what is dictated by sequestration law, DoD News reported Friday.
Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James said during an Air Force Association-hosted symposium Friday the military branch needed the additional funding to achieve national security objectives and participate in joint operations globally, according to the report by Army Sgt. Tyrone Marshall Jr.
“We are trying to take the strongest stand yet, that we have taken, to date, on sequestration,†James told the forum audience.
“Now, $10 billion more represents the difference between a force that our Air Force combatant commanders require and our nation expects, as compared to an Air Force that, with $10 billion less, will not be able to meet the defense strategy,” she added, according to the publication.
James noted at the event the service’s 2016 budget request would also support manpower, fleet modernization and readiness programs to help the branch prepare for threats in the near future.
