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Panel wants $364 million more for PCS moves

The House Appropriations Committee used a 2008 defense spending bill passed July 25 to voice serious concerns about the Air Force’s recent decision to slash the number of permanent-change-of-station moves and its PCS budget.

And the committee added bite to its bark by stripping $364 million from the service’s F-22 modernization program and redirecting it to the depleted PCS account.

The Air Force, meanwhile, says its new PCS policy, approved in November, will save money and promote stability without hurting professional development or retention.

It also warns that cutting nearly half of the $744 million in F-22 modernization funds it requested for fiscal 2008 will cause delays and cost overruns in the F-22 program.

The House was expected to pass the 2008 defense appropriations bill by Saturday, but the funding changes won’t become official unless the Senate includes them in its version of the bill, expected in September.

If that happens, it could set the stage for a showdown between Congress and the Air Force.

An Air Force official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the service does not comment on pending legislation, said the service will appeal the committee’s decision.

“The F-22A program is currently assessing the impacts, and anticipates the proposed cut would drive significant program restructure, cost increases and schedule delays,” the official said. “The Air Force plans to address this proposed reduction [in F-22 modernization funds] through the established congressional appeals process.”

In a report accompanying the bill, the House Appropriations Committee said the Air Force’s plan to reduce the number of PCS moves by changing standard stateside tours from 36 to 48 months could hurt professional development and retention.

“Accession, training, operational and rotational travel are essential for quality of life and professional development,” the report says. “Moreover ... officer retention, force development and professional advancement setbacks are likely to intensify.”