Team Infidel
Forum Spin Doctor
Los Angeles Times
April 25, 2007
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Air Force's top general expressed frustration on Tuesday with the reassignment of troops under his command to ground jobs for which they were not trained, including guarding prisoners, driving trucks and typing.
Gen. T. Michael "Buzz" Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff, said that more than 20,000 airmen had been assigned to roles outside their specialties.
In a breakfast session with reporters, Moseley said he was trying to be realistic. "We live in a military that's at war. And we live in a situation where, if we can contribute, then sign me up for it," he said.
Still, the Air Force general added, "I'm less supportive of things outside our competency."
He cited airmen being used to guard prisoners and to serve as drivers, and one instance in which an Air Force surgeon was assigned typing chores after three days at her new post. "We got her back," Moseley said.
Others are being assigned to help the Army provide security in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He said the swap-outs came at a time when the Air Force's budget was burdened, when there was little money for new aircraft and when maintaining an aging fleet of older planes was getting increasingly expensive.
April 25, 2007
By Associated Press
WASHINGTON — The Air Force's top general expressed frustration on Tuesday with the reassignment of troops under his command to ground jobs for which they were not trained, including guarding prisoners, driving trucks and typing.
Gen. T. Michael "Buzz" Moseley, the Air Force chief of staff, said that more than 20,000 airmen had been assigned to roles outside their specialties.
In a breakfast session with reporters, Moseley said he was trying to be realistic. "We live in a military that's at war. And we live in a situation where, if we can contribute, then sign me up for it," he said.
Still, the Air Force general added, "I'm less supportive of things outside our competency."
He cited airmen being used to guard prisoners and to serve as drivers, and one instance in which an Air Force surgeon was assigned typing chores after three days at her new post. "We got her back," Moseley said.
Others are being assigned to help the Army provide security in Iraq and Afghanistan.
He said the swap-outs came at a time when the Air Force's budget was burdened, when there was little money for new aircraft and when maintaining an aging fleet of older planes was getting increasingly expensive.