Air Force's Budget Request for '09

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Air Force's Budget Request for '09
Air Force Print News | SSgt. Monique Randolph | February 04, 2008

WASHINGTON - As part of the president's fiscal 2009 budget, the Air Force is requesting Congress' approval for $143.9 billion, nearly more than $9 billion more than in fiscal 2008. Of the $143.9 billion request, $117 billion are funds directly controlled and managed by the Air Force. The remaining $26.9 billion funds the Air Force portions of the defense health program, special operations forces and intelligence programs.

"The 2009 budget carefully balances our resources to best carry out the Air Force mission," said Maj. Gen. Larry O. Spencer, deputy assistant secretary for budget at the Pentagon.

"This budget request honors our commitment to take care of our people, sustains readiness to support today's fight, takes some measured risk in infrastructure, and focuses on our top five acquisition priorities."

The budget is divided into four primary areas: people, readiness, infrastructure, and modernization, General Spencer said.

Taking care of people is one of the top Air Force priorities, and according to the plan, $37.6 billion will go toward personnel programs including a 3.4 percent pay raise for military and a 2.9 percent increase for civilian employees. An additional 4.9 percent increase for housing allowance, and $628 million for recruiting, retention and special pays are also part of the plan.


Rest of article at: http://www.military.com/features/0,15240,161387,00.html