A new DOD comptroller document details that the Air Force has tallied a $900 million disaster-relief shortfall in fiscal 2019, while it still seeks to fill a $3.3 billion recovery spending gap, Air Force Magazine reported Wednesday.
The document provides more detail on the $5 billion in funding Air Force Secretary Heather Wilson has said is needed for base repairs, including 2018 hurricane damage to Tyndall and Eglin Air Force bases in Florida, as well as March storms that flooded Offutt Air Force Base, Neb.
Wilson has said the Air Force will need $1.2 billion in fiscal 2019, and $3.7 billion across 2020-2021.
Six bases need $1.4 billion for repairs including Tyndall, Eglin, Robins Air Force Base, Ga., Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., and Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va., according to the document.
Only $500 million is expected to be addressed in fiscal 2019.
In early April Congress moved $200 million for Air Force operations and maintenance, leaving a $349 million shortfall. The remainder is in a 2019 supplemental spending bill that has stalled over budget disputes.
Spokeswoman Ann Stefanek said the Air Force will continue seeking funds for base repairs.
“We will put together a plan for the reprogramming,” she said. “We still need supplemental funding for the rest of the shortfall.”
Air Force photo by Delanie Stafford
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