USAF Planning Luxurious Airborne "Capsules": Paper
The United States Air Force sought to use finances intended to support counter-terrorism operations to equip military aircraft so they could give officials a luxurious airborne travelling experience, according to a report published by the Washington Post on July 18th.
A number of the highest-ranked generals were involved in the conception of so-termed "comfort capsules", which feature a bed, a couch and a table, together with leather chairs, the publication said, referring to government email correspondence and other documents in so doing.
US Forces in Afghanistan, Iraq
The proposal has not been welcomed by less-high ranked officers in the USAF, who have highlighted its inappropriateness when US forces are deployed in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Since 2005, said the article, the USAF has asked for a total of $16.2 million to be steered away from the "war on terror", and, instead, used to finance the aircraft capsule venture.
Lawmakers dismissed the requests on two occasions.
11 months ago, Democrat Representative John Murtha contacted the US military in writing and demanded that the finances be used on something with "higher priority."
Counter-Terrorism Budget
Speaking to the Washington Post, officials described how, in 2007, the USAF opted to use $331,000 worth of the counter-terrorism budget to meet escalating costs arising from its project.
One officer, however, told the publication that this decision is set to be reversed.
USAF papers state that the capsules should be "aesthetically pleasing and furnished to reflect the rank" of those using them, the Post said.
The first capsule is now at production stage.
Source - Armed Forces International's US Correspondent
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