Deborah Lee James

• Air Force says readiness problems will last through 2023

  Air Force officials say their service already was facing readiness issues because of the high operational tempo of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. But sequestration worsened the problems, and continuing the budget caps will set back a readiness recovery.

  Budget

  March 17, 2014
• Air Force to accelerate headquarters staff cuts

  Air Force leaders intend to surpass their share of Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel's edict to reduce DoD headquarters spending by 20 percent and complete the task several years ahead of schedule. The personnel cuts are part of the service's plan to shrink its size in order to catch up with decades of deferred spending on readiness and modernization.

  Budget

  March 03, 2014
• Air Force secretary sees ‘systemic’ problems in nuclear workforce

  Air Force's new civilian leader returns from tour of the service's nuclear sites with a dim assessment of the workforce's leader development and training culture. In 60 days, the service will recommend an action plan to the Pentagon.

  Defense

  January 30, 2014
• Ayotte wants answers on A-10 cuts, blocks Air Force nominee

  Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) has put confirmation of Deborah Lee James on hold until she gets answers about possible cuts to the A-10 Thunderbolt attack fighter fleet.

  Congress

  September 26, 2013