Top Issues

• Restore discipline and confidence to the Nuclear Enterprise and ensure excellence through vigilance, support, and a comprehensive plan.

• Tailor Air Force manning to be sufficient to support 10 air and space expeditionary forces, or AEFs.

• Get the CSAR-X aircraft in action and saving lives.

• End the practice of assigning Airmen to serve in place of ground forces, return them to their specialties, and focus them on meeting the growing demand for airpower.

• Compensate, equip, and man the Guard and Reserve in consonance with their increased contribution to the Global War on Terror.

• Speed acquisition of F-35 fighters and fund a full force of 381 F-22 fighters to prevent a future fighter shortage.

• Do whatever is needed to end further delays in acquisition of much-needed new aerial tanker aircraft.

• Continue to focus on increasing both numbers and capability of UAV systems and enhancing Air Force and Army cooperation in this vital area.

• Allow the Air Force to manage and modernize its fleet and rid itself of many aging low-value, high-cost aircraft.

• Modernize and fully fund vital space and cyberspace systems and ensure their security, as they are essential to every operation and will only grow in importance.

• Invest in technical education to bolster a foundation the nation needs for defense.

• Expand national programs encouraging the study of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

• Recognize the importance of research and development to future national well-being.

• Support the Air Force need for an additional $20 billion a year in funding for modern weapon systems.

• Immediately raise basic (non-war) defense spending to 4.5 percent of gross domestic product, and, over several years, raise the nation’s defense commitment to 6 percent of GDP.