Comments from 65 AS CC
The following is a summary of an interview given by 65 AS CC to a local Las Vegas newspaper:
The 19-aircraft F-15C equipped 65 AS will disband on 26 Sep in order to meet Pentagon budget constraints before the new FY begins 1 Oct.
“We’re having to deal the best we can with the money we have”.
“This deactivation, while we as a squadron don’t necessarily want it to happen, it’s what the Air Force needs to have happen for the financial constraints that were being put in.”
It’s unclear of the exact cost savings, but the squadron’s annual budget that will be eliminated is about $35 million, including funding for a staff of 150 airmen who maintain the jets.
6x F-15C plus a spare will be transferred to 64 AS.
90/150 aircraft maintenance personnel will transfer to 64 AS.
64 AS will keep 20 x F-16.
12 x ex-65 AS F-15C will transfer to the ANG.
The F-15Cs are of 1978 vintage.
Incidentally, 65 AS CC also said this:
“As you look at the road map for the United States Air Force, the F-35 is the centerpiece of it, not just for the Air Force but the DOD (Department of Defense).”
“The F-35 is still in development, so it still has issues. But they’re going to get it right, and that’s going to be the plane for us in the future."
“It brings a lot of capabilities, and I will tell you as an aggressor pilot, stealth works. When we go up and fight against a newer airplane that has stealth, it’s a much different problem than when I fly against a fourth-generation airplane. So stealth is a wonderful".
That'll be alright then !