Hatch Calls Air Force Secretary to Discuss Defense Secretary's Call for Cuts to Defense Department

Press Release

U.S. Senator Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) today spoke with Air Force Secretary Michael Donley about the future of the Air Force, in light of the recent announcement by Defense Secretary Leon Panetta of further Defense Department reductions. After the announcement by Secretary Panetta last week, Hatch pledged to carefully scrutinize any Defense Department reductions, including two proposed Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) rounds as well as reductions to the Air Force's tactical air squadrons, saying that Utah's defense facilities, most notably Hill Air Force Base, are central to America's defense.

"The Secretary and I had a good talk about the future of the Air Force and I expressed how significant Hill is to protecting the safety and security of our country," Hatch said. "It's important to remember that the reason we're even in this position is because the White House refuses to make the difficult decisions about our nation's massive debt. I look forward to working with the Secretary to ensure that Hill remains one of the brightest stars in the Air Force and on the front lines of protecting our national security."

In Secretary Panetta's announcement last week, he announced that intends to cut 10 percent of the Air Force's tactical air squadrons, as well as cuts across other branches of the military.

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