Key Takeaways
- •The Department of the Air Force requested a $338.8 billion FY 2027 budget, featuring a 130% increase for the Space Force and controversial mandatory funding for critical programs.
- •General B. Saltzman (Chief of Space Operations, United States Space Force) testified that the $71.1 billion request is a generational opportunity to build resilient space architectures against present threats.
- •Rep. Joseph Morelle (D, NY-25) warned Dr. Troy Meink (Secretary of the Air Force) that shifting billions to mandatory funding sets a dangerous precedent by bypassing annual congressional oversight.
- •Rep. Ken Calvert (R, CA-41) and Rep. Betty McCollum (D, MN-4) both criticized the use of mandatory funding, though McCollum specifically questioned the massive $92 billion total increase.
- •Congress will evaluate the need for a supplemental budget to replenish munitions and aircraft lost during recent operations in Iran while debating the sustainability of the requested growth.
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Hearing Analysis
Overview
This hearing examined the Department of the Air Force's (DAF) fiscal year 2027 budget request of $338.8 billion, a 34 percent increase over the previous year. The discussion focused on the strategic shift required to address rapid modernization by China and Russia, the ongoing operational strain from conflicts in Iran and Venezuela, and a controversial proposal to fund several high-priority programs through mandatory rather than discretionary spending. Members of the committee expressed significant concern regarding the lack of congressional oversight inherent in this funding strategy, while witnesses emphasized the urgent need for readiness, munitions replenishment, and the expansion of the United States Space Force.
Key Testimony & Policy
Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Troy Meink presented a budget request that prioritizes foundational readiness, munitions production, and modernization. He noted that the DAF has historically been shortchanged relative to GDP, leading to a $50 billion facility maintenance backlog. The FY 2027 request includes a 34 percent increase in readiness investments and a doubling of funding for Military Construction (MILCON) and facilities sustainment. A major policy pillar is the use of multi-year procurement for critical munitions, aiming for 39,000 weapons by FY 2033. Dr. Meink also highlighted the "generational shift" in air and space power driven by AI, microelectronics, and autonomous systems, specifically mentioning the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) and the F-47 program.
General Kenneth Wilsbach, Chief of Staff of the Air Force, focused on the operational realities of "Operation Epic Fury" and "Operation Midnight Hammer," noting that the Air Force has expended significant munitions and lost aircraft in the Iranian theater. He advocated for $22 billion in weapon system sustainment and $10 billion for flying hours to address the strain on an aging fleet, such as the C-5 Galaxy, which currently has an availability rate of only 37 percent. The budget also supports the nuclear triad through the Sentinel (ICBM) program, the B-21 Raider, and upgrades to the B-52 and E-4B.
General B. Saltzman, Chief of Space Operations, defended a "landmark" $71.1 billion request for the Space Force, a 130 percent increase. He argued that the Space Force must evolve from its current state to meet threats from China, which has dramatically expanded its on-orbit presence. The request prioritizes space control capabilities, resilient missile warning architectures, and space-based Air Moving Target Indicators (AMTI). General Saltzman emphasized that unlike other services, two-thirds of the Space Force budget is dedicated to research and development rather than personnel, as the service is building new capabilities from the ground up.
Notable Exchanges & Partisan Dynamics
A primary point of contention was the Department’s decision to request $321.7 billion in "mandatory" or reconciliation funding for critical programs. Chairman Ken Calvert (R, CA-41) and Rep. Joseph Morelle (D, NY-25) both criticized this move, arguing it bypasses the annual appropriations process and diminishes congressional oversight. Chairman Calvert specifically questioned the stability of programs like the Golden Dome ($17.5 billion), space-based AMTI ($7.1 billion), and munitions procurement ($4.6 billion) if they are tied to a reconciliation vote that may not occur. Rep. Morelle called the strategy a "dangerous precedent" that undermines Article One responsibilities.
Ranking Member Betty McCollum (D, MN-4) raised concerns about the "eye-popping" scale of the budget increase, noting that the $92 billion jump for the Air and Space Forces alone equals the entire budget for the Commerce, Justice, and Science appropriations bills. She also questioned the legality of the ongoing war in Iran, noting it has not been authorized by Congress, and criticized the administration for prioritizing defense spending over domestic needs like Medicaid and childcare.
Rep. Henry Cuellar (D, TX-28) engaged in a localized but sharp exchange regarding a 54-inch sewer pipeline beneath Lackland Air Force Base. He criticized the Air Force for being three years behind on a memorandum of understanding with the San Antonio Water System (SAWS), accusing the service of failing to be a good partner to the local community. Dr. Meink committed to resolving the impasse by June.
Organizations Mentioned
- United States Department of the Air Force (DAF): The primary subject of the hearing, requesting $338.8 billion to manage modernization and active combat operations. - United States Space Force (Space Force): Requested a 130% budget increase to $71.1 billion to counter Chinese and Russian space combat capabilities. - San Antonio Water System (SAWS): Mentioned regarding a long-standing dispute over a sewer pipeline relocation at Lackland Air Force Base. - The Boeing Company: Discussed as the contractor for the F-15EX; the Air Force is working with them to ramp up production schedules. - Airbus SE: Mentioned as a provider of the A400 mobility aircraft used by NATO allies. - National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA): Used as a budgetary benchmark, with the Space Force request being three times the size of NASA's total budget. - United States Transportation Command (TRANSCOM): Cited as the entity conducting a study to inform the future of the Air Force's mobility and strategic airlift fleet.
What's Next
The committee expects a supplemental budget request to address the specific aircraft losses and munitions expenditures from recent operations in Iran. Dr. Meink is expected to provide a report within 30 days regarding Boeing’s plan to accelerate F-15EX production. Additionally, the Air Force committed to mediating the dispute with the San Antonio Water System by June. The subcommittee will continue to scrutinize the "mandatory" funding requests as the FY 2027 appropriations process moves forward, with several members indicating they will push to move those items back into the discretionary budget.
Transcript
Good morning. Defense Subcommittee will come to order. We're here to discuss the Department of Air Force budget request for fiscal year 19 or 19, 2027. We have three witnesses before us, Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Troy Meink, General Kenneth Wilsbach, Chief of the Air Force, and General Chance Saltzman, Chief of the Space Operations. I want to first recognize the Air Force efforts during the operations of Venezuela, now Iran. We have incredible airmen that serve. I certainly offer my condolences for those who paid the ultimate sacrifice and those who wounded. The harrowing rescue of the Dude 44, our airmen are the very best in the world. I also want to acknowledge the aircraft we've lost and munitions we've expended in Iran, which is not insignificant. We may see a request for a supplemental at some point, but we have not seen it yet. And it's unclear how we plan to replenish our stocks and address losses we've taken in our Air Force inventory. The request before the committee does include additional aircraft, including 24 F-15EXs, 15 KC-46s, 23 T-7s, and a healthy request for F-47 and the next generation bomber. 38 F-35As are requested, of which 14 of those are requested in the mandatory side. That brings me to a concern I want to put on the record. In addition to the billions requested for the F-35 enterprise, several of these programs I consider highest priority are being funded through the mandatory request. 17.5 billion for Golden Dome. 7.7 billion for air moving target indicator. 4.6 billion for munitions procurement and 3.9 billion for space data network. Mandatory funding bypasses the annual appropriations process, which is how Congress exercises its oversight responsibility. If these programs are as critical as the budget request suggests, and I believe they are, then they deserve all the full scrutiny and sustained attention that we on the appropriations process provides. I would urge the department to work with us to bring these programs into the discretionary budget where they belong. With that said, I would note that the U.S. Space Force has made remarkable progress in the short time, maturing into a true warfighting service, accelerating the delivery of critical capability and prioritizing the resilience across its architecture. I commend the men and women of the Space Force for that work. But we cannot afford to be satisfied. The domain is evolving faster than ever and the challenges ahead are serious. China and Russia are not standing still. China has dramatically expanded its on-orbit presence and both nations continue to test and develop dedicated space combat capability. This is not a future threat, it is a present one and the posture must reflect that reality. The Space Force FY 2027 budget request is 71 billion, up roughly 40 billion in FY 2026, is a recognition of that threat. I support investing capabilities that we need. A budget of this scale will test our acquisition workforce and we must ensure that growth in spending is matched by growth in our capacity to execute. We will work closely with you throughout the budget process to find ways we can accelerate the fielding of the platforms needed by our warfighters today. With that, I'll yield with the ranking member, Ms. McCollum, for any opening remarks she would like to make.
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