USAF diverting funds for luxury accomodations for Generals/VIPs.

[El-Rushbo]

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2008058778_airforce18.html

Air Force officials say the government needs the new capsules to ensure that leaders can talk, work and rest comfortably in the air. But the top brass's preoccupation with luxury in wartime has alienated lower-ranking Air Force officers, congressional staff and a nonprofit group that calls the program a waste of money.
Air Force documents spell out how each capsule is to be "aesthetically pleasing and furnished to reflect the rank of the senior leaders using the capsule," with beds, a couch, a table, a 37-inch flat-screen monitor with stereo speakers and a full-length mirror.

The internal Air Force e-mails, provided to The Washington Post by the Project on Government Oversight (POGO), a nonprofit Washington group, and independently authenticated, make clear that lower-ranking officers involved in the project have been pressured to create what one described as "world-class" accommodations exceeding the standards of a regular business-class flight.

 

[saab fixr]

Nothing like abuse of power as it usually is Heres and idea spend the money where it counts on the troops not these usless a^%kissers Sux they waste so much money on the higher brass !@! enough already this country is bleeding in debt already

 

[SpoilerFault]

As a taxpayer I'm sickened that money is being diverted for bull$h!t like this! As Saab fixr pointed out, we certainly don't need such waste at a time when we're sinking in debt. As far as I'm concerned, if we can have troops deployed in combat for 12-15 months then a General can certainly be inconvenienced enough to ride on a normal transport aircraft when VIP aircraft aren't available.

 

[pilotyip]

In the old days

In the 60's as a JO in the Navy we would RON at an USAF base. The BOQ would deemed inadequate and substandard. I would stay in it anyway. Because my This substandard room had one bed, an anjoining semi-private bathroom, and was A/Ced. The room in the substandard BOQ, looked like a 5 star hotel compared to the Navy room I had been in. The Navy JO BOQ room had 4 guys to a room, head down the hall, althought you could shave in your room they had a sink. There was a joke back then that the Navy and Air Force would be given money to build an airbase. The USAF would take the money build a nice O'Club and Golf course, then go back for more money for the runway. Of course they got it. The Navy would build a ramp and runway, then go back and ask for more for the O'Club and golf course, of course they never got it.

 

[Birdstrike]

WTF is up with the Air Force?

 

[Occam's Razor]

USAF Generals watching a mere 32" TV screen in flight means the terrorists win!

 

[Deuce130]

As a taxpayer and AF reservist, this sickens me also. One more bad event in a string of bad events. I can only hope that the new SECAF and new CSAF (a Herc guy, so that's a start) will start to repair the damage that the AF has done to itself.

 

[propsarebest]

The USAF has always had a history of outfitting their VIP airplanes pretty nicely. Take a look at some of the B-17's and b-25's in the early 50's...

 

[stonewall]

Since I'm a Guard dude, I'm tempted to walk across the street to ACC HQ and ask someone "WTFO??" Although this whole thing makes me throw up in my mouth a little, I don't think my WG/CC would appreciate me making waves at ACC.

The active duty USAF has become soft. Very soft. We have serious issues. Hopefully the new guy can fix some o' this sh*t.

 

[fifinella]

I wouldn't be surprised if the staff action officer that staffed this recommendation received a D-MSM for this along with a glowing efficiency report......has a throat like a pelican and can breathe through both ears.
What ever happened to taking care of your subordinates first?