Politicians respond to Pete Hegseth’s reduction memorandum; WPAFB center stage

DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) – Questions linger at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base after a new memorandum from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth calls for drastic changes in American military leadership.

Hegseth’s memo focuses on removing “bureaucratic layers” and “redundant force structure” by reducing excess general and flag officer positions.

Stripping the four-star command status from Wright-Patt would have a profound effect on its massive operations.

Hegseth directed the following actions:

• A minimum 20 percent reduction of 4-star positions across the Active Component.
• A minimum 20 percent reduction of general officers in the National Guard.
• An additional minimum 10 percent reduction in general and flag officers with the realignment of the Unified Command Plan.

“Through these measures, we will uphold our position as the most lethal fighting force in the world, achieving peace through strength and ensuring greater efficiency, innovation, and preparedness for any challenge that lies ahead,” wrote Hegseth.

Wright-Patt is the largest employer in the Miami Valley. According to MilitaryOneSource, approximately 38,000 military members, civilians and contractors work on the base.

Senator Jon Husted, Congressman Michael R. Turner and U.S. Senator Bernie Moreno wrote a letter on Monday, July 14, to Hegseth.

Sen. Husted’s Press Secretary sent a copy of this letter to 2 NEWS.

It started with thanking Hegseth for his service as a Guardsman and now as the U.S. Secretary of Defense.

The letter addressed the memo and then specifically Wright-Patt. It explained how the Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) is critical for the entire Air Force and touches nearly every aspect of the Service. The AFMC Commander oversees more than 89,000 people and manages an annual budget of $72 billion, nearly 40 percent of all Air Force spending.

“We write to urge you to maintain a four-star United States Air Force general as the commander of Air Force Materiel Command, headquartered at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. We believe that the foundational importance, far-reaching impact, and complexity of AFMC’s mission merit a 4-star billet for its commander,” wrote the group.

The group wrote about AFMC’s role in providing everything from uniforms to spare parts to nuclear-capable B-2 bombers.

“As you seek to rebuild and modernize America’s military to meet the threats of today and
tomorrow, AFMC will be critical to those efforts by providing cradle-to-grave lifecycle support
of Air Force weapon systems,” wrote the group. “AFMC also plays a vital role in America’s nuclear enterprise, providing acquisition, modernization, and sustainment support for America’s land-based ICBM force and air-based nuclear delivery systems.”

The letter then explains the history of reductions that birthed the AFMC in 1992. It used to be two different 4-star commands: the Air Force Systems Command and Air Force Logistics Command.

“Given its size, scope, nuclear triad responsibilities, and foundational importance to all Air Force
activities, we believe that AFMC requires 4-star leadership to effectively execute its mission. As
such, while you seek to optimize the military’s command structure, we urge you to spare the
Commander, Air Force Materiel Command billet from a demotion to a 3-star position,” wrote the group.

They finished by inviting Hegseth to the base.

“We would also like to invite you to visit Wright-Patterson Air Force Base at the earliest possible opportunity so that you can see the important work done at the base to support the Air Force and the defense of our nation,” wrote the group.

2 NEWS is following this memorandum closely.