USAF chief: Spending restrictions won't dent sequestration's impact on readiness

The US Air Force's (USAF) top official plans to issue direction to his major commands to curtail spending in the months ahead, but warned that the effort would do little to reduce the impact of sequestration on the service's readiness should the across-the-board cuts take place in March 2013.

"To be clear, these near-term actions cannot fully mitigate the impacts of sequestration should that occur," Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley told reporters during a Pentagon briefing on 11 January. "If we do not have resolution by March, sequestration will have immediate and negative impacts on air force readiness, specifically flying hours and maintenance."

Secretary of Defense Leon Panetta on 10 January issued guidance to the service chiefs to immediately begin implementation of measures to mitigate looming budget cuts. Such measures include restrictions in civilian hiring, reductions in non-readiness or mission-essential flying and travel, stopping minor purchases such as furniture or IT refresh, and deferring non-emergency facility repairs.