Is the U.S. Military Ready for What May Come?
By: Rep. Earl L. "Buddy" Carter
(Wall Street Journal) - President Biden’s proposed budget is hamstringing our defense readiness at a time of extreme international unrest (“America’s Declining Military,” Review & Outlook, March 30). Despite analysis that the Air Force is the least prepared it has ever been, this administration plans to shut down the Combat Readiness Training Center (CRTC) in Savannah, Ga.
A $24 million airplane hangar is near completion at the Savannah Air Dominance Center to support Air Force pilot training. Just last week, $1.2 million in new technology was installed that isn’t available anywhere else in the country.
That money came from single moms, firefighters, teachers and military service members. But we are throwing it out the window for administrative convenience. This is exactly the type of wasteful spending that frustrates taxpayers.
Our military was caught off guard by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. China is on the brink of invading Taiwan, and the time may come when U.S. troops are needed to secure peace abroad. We all hope it won’t happen, but we must be ready if it does. Right now, we aren’t.
The Savannah CRTC is the most efficient, heavily utilized CRTC center in the country. It has trained every single F-22 pilot over the past two years.
As a senator, Mr. Biden famously said, “Show me your budget and I’ll tell you what you value.” President Biden, show us that you support our military’s defense readiness by keeping the Savannah CRTC open.
Read the Letter to the Editor here.
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