U.S. National Guard and Reserve leadership testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense looking at the budget and operations of the Guard.
Last month, Defense Secretary Leon Panetta pulled back from proposed budget cuts that would have reduced the National Guard’s force by 5,000 people and 200 aircraft.
Secretary Panetta said that he will restore some of the cuts in the budget proposal sent to Congress, including at least 2,200 Guard positions.
The hearing focused on cuts to the Air National Guard and other Air Force structure changes.
Witnesses discussed how the DoD will use an operational reserve as we withdraw from Afghanistan, equipment shortfalls in the Guard and Reserve, Reserve suicide rates and recruiting and retention.
Witnesses included: National Guard Bureau Chief Air Force Gen. Craig McKinley, Army National Guard Director Lt. Gen. William Ingram Jr., Air National Guard Director Lt. Gen. Harry Wyatt III, Army Reserve Chief Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, Navy Reserve Chief Vice Adm. Dirk Debbink, Reserve Affairs Director Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Steven A. Hummer, and Air Force Reserve Chief Lt. Gen. Charles E. Stenner Jr.