
Sequestration's impacts are rippling through Pacific Air Forces, degrading readiness,
Maj. Gen. Russ Handy, the major command's director of operations,
plans, requirements, and programs, told the
Daily Report on Wednesday.
The sequester's spending cuts are also affecting activities and engagements
with partners and allies in the Asia-Pacific region, which are important to the
success of the US military's defense rebalance to there. Readiness, said
Handy, is more than flying hours. Activities like military construction on Guam
and range operations in Alaska are also feeling the squeeze, he said.
"I've got a giant spreadsheet and I personally review every single
exercise and training event we do in this command," he said. Large events
require the approval from top service leadership in Washington, D.C., before
they may proceed. PACAF officials are also consulting with
partners and allies—many of whom committed forces to bilateral and multilateral
events. "We're spending a lot of time talking with our partners, and including them in these decisions," said Handy. He said he's told many allies that
in order to maintain the quality of training; the quantity will have to fall.
This means expanding bilateral events into multilateral events where possible,
he noted during the May 8 interview. (See also
Sequester Will Take a Steady Toll in Pacific.)