The Air Force has delayed the transfer of an F-22 squadron from Holloman Air Force Base, N.M. to Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla., as the Air Force has halted planned force structure changes.
Air Force leaders paused proposed transfers after the service's plans received fierce opposition from Congress over perceived slights to the Air Force National Guard and Reserve. The transfer of the 7th Fighter Squadron and its F-22s is just one of many aircraft movements put on hold.
The Air Force has not set a date when the transfers will restart as a potential $500 billion cut to defense spending looms if Congress does not avoid sequestration set for Jan. 2. The resulting sequestration cut would alter force structure planning for all three services and force military leaders to re-evaluate the budgets they put forth to Congress this past year.
The two F-16 squadrons at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., will remain there as the plan to move them to Holloman were dependent on the transfer of the 7th Fighter Squadron.
