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Consider Removing Sentinel from Air Force Literature: Kendall Argues It Doesn't Generate Fresh Funds

The Defense Department's distinct budget allocation for the Sentinel ICBM won't generate funds for other Air Force objectives, Secretary Frank Kendall explained.

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Allocating a distinct Pentagon budget for the Sentinel ICBM wouldn't provide any financial relief...
Allocating a distinct Pentagon budget for the Sentinel ICBM wouldn't provide any financial relief for other Air Force objectives, as stated by Secretary Frank Kendall.

Consider Removing Sentinel from Air Force Literature: Kendall Argues It Doesn't Generate Fresh Funds

Spillin' the Tea on Air Force Budgets and Nuclear Modernization

A quick chat with Air Force bigwigs makes it crystal clear: When it comes to competition with powerhouse nations like China, the Air Force needs every penny to prepare. However, the budget gets tight, and there's a hot topic of debate - the whopping cost of the Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) calls for some hard decisions.

The idea of splitting Sentinel and nuclear modernization budgets from the Air Force budget has surfaced, but outgoing Secretary Frank Kendall ain't buying it. Kendall reckons that splitting hairs over accounts won't resolve budget woes and splitting them ain't putting more greenbacks in the coffers.

The Navy has experimented with moving some strategic capabilities into different accounts, hoping to relieve financial stress on their everyday operations, but Kendall dismisses this tactic as a temporary fix. Instead, he argues that nuclear modernization programs are collective issues for the Pentagon, especially considering the DoD's ambitious goal of modernizing its entire nuclear triad simultaneously for the first time in decades.

Budget Math

One more bugaboo backing the perception of the Air Force budget's size is the pass-through, a pot of cash technically under the Air Force but outta its control, headed to various classified projects. Kendall's never tried to bid adieu to the pass-through for similar reasons as the nuclear modernization account.

When the pass-through funds are tossed out, the Air Force stands to receive fewer resources than the Army and Navy, even though the National Defense Strategy's been crystal: Air Force and Navy bear an outsized burden for the Pacific theater.

Kendall's not a fan of judging the overall DoD budget by how evenly funds are doled out among services, reckoning that approach's a flubby mistake. Instead, he thinks we should prioritize understanding what our nation needs to defend itself, with resources allocated in accordance. The division of the pie among the services shouldn't factor into the equation, in Kendall's opinion.

Budget Speed

Kendall's greatest regret as he signs off is the struggle to score sufficient funds for his programs, like his Operational Imperatives, which highlight the vital technologies needed to counter adversaries like China. Budget logjams, including delays, continuing resolutions, and other obstacles sapped two and a half years from getting funds for needed projects.

In a positive note, Kendall praises Congress for okaying the Quick Start authorities he requested, which expedite the launch of urgent programs outside of the typical budgeting process. Kendall'd be psyched to see these authorities expanded to spare the Air Force from the long wait for funding. The Quick Start program's cap stands at $100 million, a sum he reckons is enough for the swiftest, most crucial projects.

Kendall's confident he's fostered a growing realization throughout the department that we've to tackle a formidable contender unparalleled in history, necessitating commitment and urgency from the entire military machine. He's not fretting about losing that focus under the new administration, attributing it to the focus on China as the key challenge in the last four years, poised to continue as a top priority for the second term.

  1. The Air Force is contemplating the vast expenses associated with the Space Force and its aerospace programs, including the development of advanced aircraft and drones.
  2. Kendall believes that the Air Force needs substantial financing for research and innovation in the field of technology to compete effectively against rival nations, particularly China.
  3. The Air Force's budget also includes the management and financing of the defense sector's nuclear modernization programs, which are considered critical for the nation's security and deterrence.
  4. Despite the ongoing debate regarding the allocation of funds, Kendall argues that splitting the budgets for Sentinel, nuclear modernization, and other classified projects might not yield significant financial gains.
  5. In the realm of sports metaphors, Kendall views the Air Force's budget as a pie that should be divided based on the nation's defense needs, rather than an equal distribution among services.
  6. To expedite the funding process for urgent projects and counter Chinese threats, Kendall advocates for expanding the Quick Start authorities, which have already demonstrated success in circumventing budget logjams and delays.

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