Letter to General Dennis McCarthy, National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force

Letter

Today, U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), co-chair of the Senate Air Force caucus, encouraged the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force to use Ohio as a model for the rest of the country. Brown's letter to the Commission, including its chair, Retired General Dennis McCarthy, comes during its three day tour this week of Ohio Air Force and National Guard bases, including Wright-Patterson near Dayton, Rickenbacker near Columbus, and Mansfield-Lahm in Mansfield.

"I welcome the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force to our state. The work that the Commission does is vital to the security of our country," Brown said. "Ohio is the birthplace of aviation and has some of the finest airmen and reserves in the world. I encourage the Commission to use our state as models to help make our Air Force stronger and more efficient."

Congress created the Commission as a part of the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act to provide a comprehensive study of the country's Air Force structure and the best ways to utilize resources and oversee missions given current budget constraints. The panel's report and recommendations are due to the president and Congress on Feb. 1, 2014.

Brown explained that Ohio's unique mix of active, reserve, and Guard units offer the Commission a case study from which to apply its lessons to other states across the country.

Brown's letter to the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force can be read in its entirety below:

July 30, 2013

General Dennis McCarthy USA, Ret.

Chair

National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force

Suite 200

James Polk Building

2521 South Clark Street

Arlington, VA 22202

Dear General McCarthy:

Congratulations on your appointment to the National Commission on the Structure of the Air Force and thank you for your continued service to our nation. I hope you find your visit to Ohio's Air Force installations useful in your difficult task.

Congress created the Commission in the Fiscal Year 2013 National Defense Authorization Act to provide a comprehensive study of the force structure of the Air Force and how best fulfill current and anticipated mission requirements with the resources current budget restrictions provide. Congress and the Department of Defense will rely on your work and report.

From determining the current and future requirements of the combatant commands to finding the right balance between the regular and reserve components, your work will help formulate Air Force policy for the better part of the 21st Century. Congress will also rely on your advice and conclusions to help ensure that the regular and reserve components have the capacity to support current and future homeland security and domestic preparedness missions.

The Air Force is the only service branch that has embraced the associate base relationship. Such relationships need to be explored and the Commission should take a long, hard look regarding the possibility of continuing and expanding these as you determine the sufficient number of personnel in each component to support operational tempo goals. Associate relationships may be useful in your analysis as Congress has tasked the Commission to balance affordability, efficiency, effectiveness, capability, and readiness during great budget pressures.

Ohio will provide a great model for you and the Commission. The state is not only the Birthplace of Aviation, but the showcase of America's Air Force past, present, and future. The state's unique mix of high performing active, reserve, and Guard units making up fighter, cargo, UAS, and refueling wings illustrates how the proper mix can not only better serve the Air Force, but work at greater efficiencies and effectiveness by working together.

I want to thank you for your service to our Air Force and our nation and looking forward to reading your report.

Sincerely,

Sherrod Brown

United States Senator

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