Between 1982-1990, the Army and Marine Corps participated in 17 deployments.   Since 1990, the Army and Marine Corps have participated in 149 deployments.

    This rapid pace of deployments, coupled with a lack of funding and decline in personnel levels, has resulted in decreasing mission capable rates.

    From FY92 to FY02, the average mission capable rate for Air Force aircraft declined from 83% to 76%.   Mission capable rates for critical fighter aircraft, such as the F-16, declined from 83% in FY92 to 76% in FY02.  The F-15E's mission capable rate has dropped from 87% to 77%.

    The Navy has seen a similar decline in its mission capable  from 71% in 1994, to 68% in 1999 and to 67% by 2001.  The Navy's fully mission capable rate – which indicates whether the aircraft can perform every mission it was designed to do – has declined from 63% to 53% over the same time period.

    Increase O&M accounts to ensure availability of needed spare parts and assess personnel needs in maintenance classifications.