An F-22 Raptor from 94th Fighter Squadron Langley Air Force Base, Va., performs an aerial demonstration for an estimated 180,000 spectators March 2 at the Australian International Airshow. The squadron will be grounded when it returns from a deployment in the Pacific that included a stop in South Korea. (Tech. Sgt. Michael R. Holzworth / Air Force)
Reduced Flying Hours Forces USAF To Ground 17 Combat Air Squadrons -- Defense News
The U.S. Air Force will begin grounding combat air squadrons Tuesday in response to forced spending cuts that have eliminated more than 44,000 flying hours through September, according to internal documents obtained by Defense News.
The Air Force’s budget for flying hours was reduced by $591 million for the remainder of fiscal 2013, making it impossible to keep all squadrons ready for combat, according to a memo signed by Maj. Gen. Charles Lyon, director of operations for Air Combat Command. The across-the board spending cuts, called sequestration, took effect March 1 when Congress failed to agree on a deficit-reduction plan.
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My Comment: With even more budget cuts foreseen for the future .... this number is probably going to increase.