They never lacked for equipment or ammunition and such, but out in the firebases there were NO amenities. Hot food was irregular. Mail was irregular - at least until I had a conversation with Sen. Stevens’ staff. He lived in a plywood hut and slept on a sheet of plywood on a foam backpacking mat that I sent him. He did a brisk business in selling Red Bull that I bought at Costco and shipped to him in USPS Priority Mail Flat Rate boxes; 23 of the 24 cans in a case of Red Bull will fit in the box you can ship from Juneau to FOB Lane, Afghanistan for $8.35.

Today I will be giving one of the presentation for the TSAT interim design review. It should be very awkward.

The senator is right, but nothing can be done about it. In the other thread people said they trust Gates and the Chiefs. That is the wrong way to look at it. The priorities were driven by the white house. That is why the modernization programs have been slashed or killed. Obama only needs the current military. After he finished his amazing diplomatic efforts, we won’t need the future military.

I’m not joking.

Obama’s troop ‘surge” in Afghanistan is a reality, regardless of what he’s calling it today. It’s difficult to understand why he would cut military spending at this particular time - - I guess we not at war, but we are at war….. not sure; but either way ( whatever it’s called¬} it’s going to cost a lot of money. It would seem that this would be number one on his “To Do List” but it appears not.

The Europeans aren’t stepping up to the plate in Afghanistan - - a conflict that is in their own back yard, but what else is new. We arrogant Americans, are, however, being asked to ‘step up’ once again, but with less money. I’m guessing the Europeans benefitted financially from the US on his trip to G-20 and as My Grandmother used to say, we went to the fair, spent our money and got nothing. These get togethers always cost US taxpayers money - - ALWAYS.

The irony of the North Koreans firing their missile the day before Gates announces these cuts cannot escape most, including our enemies (surprised Obama? , we do have enemies). The Moscow Times indicates that even the Russians believe that reducing their nuclear capabilities will put them directly in danger from the N. Koreans.

If China had wanted to stop this missile launch, does any believe they couldn’t have? Our new UN ambassador tells us that China does not WANT Koreans racing into their country if North Korea’s government collapses.” (not sure why however, since the US is expected to absorb this kind of illegal influx on our borders). The N. Korean population is around 22,000,000. World aid to a collapsed government would cost far less than we are all spending right now to allow him to threaten the entire world. It would be a bargain, to the Chinese as well; so we must ask what China is really after.

We live in a dangerous world, and we have an adolescent for a President.

This is one of those days that I am really proud to be from solidly Red State. With the two Senators from OK (Inhofe, Coburn) I feel like I actually have a person that represents my interests the majority of the time. I commend Sen. Inhofe for visiting the troops in person and for standing up for them in the Senate.

their Senators or Congressmen and say this defense budget IS UNACCEPTABLE!!

Redstate can you provide the numbers again for us, pretty please!!

their Senators or Congressmen and say this defense budget IS UNACCEPTABLE!!

Redstate can you provide the numbers again for us, pretty please!!

and has a very inconsistent record supporting troops. Our best weapon system is the soldier, sailor, airman and marine and NOT some high priced tech toy. I haven’t seen the breakout on force levels and manpower funding, but that is the most important part of the defense budget.

Congress loves funding the big defense industry projects like the Air Force’s F-22, the Army’s FCS, and the Navy’s DDG-1000. However, not one of the three are essential to our military’s mission today or ten years from now. Opening up the DDG-51 line at the expense of canceling the DDG-1000 is a smart move. Likewise canceling the lightly armored FCS and freezing the F-22 production are good decisions.

Be careful listening too closely to Congress, 23 years of active duty in the military taught me not to trust politicians from either party to support the important stuff. Most legislators only support the programs they get campaign cash from. Nothing has changed today.