The INSIDER daily digest -- March 10, 2023

By John Liang / March 10, 2023 at 2:21 PM

This Friday INSIDER Daily Digest has news on the fiscal year 2024 federal defense budget request submitted this week, plus more coverage from the Air and Space Forces Association's Warfare Symposium in Colorado and more.

We start off with Republican criticism of the Biden administration's fiscal year 2024 budget request:

GOP slams Biden's defense budget, top Dem sees 'useful starting point'

Congressional Republicans were united today in their criticism of President Biden's defense budget request, with some saying it is too small when compared to the rate of inflation and the planned surge in non-defense spending sought by the White House.

. . . Followed by more coverage of this past week's AFA Warfare Symposium in Colorado:

AFRL stands up Digital Capabilities Department in 'digital transformation' effort

DENVER -- The Air Force Research Laboratory moved forward its "digital transformation" effort by standing up a Digital Capabilities Department to better share data and digital tools among AFRL's teams, lab Commander Maj. Gen. Heather Pringle announced at the Air and Space Force Association's Warfare Symposium Tuesday.

Air Force anticipating 10% recruitment shortfall

DENVER -- The Air Force expects to fall short of its recruitment goals this year, the service's top leaders said this week at the Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium.

View Inside Defense's complete AFA Warfare Symposium coverage.

John Plumb, assistant secretary of defense for space policy, spoke about the Pentagon's 5G policy this week during a House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee hearing:

Vacating mid-band for commercial 5G would cost DOD at least $120 billion and take 20 years

The Pentagon estimates it will cost at least $120 billion and 20 years to vacate the mid-band electromagnetic spectrum being eyed for auction to telecommunications companies developing the 5G commercial market and put at risk military capabilities that currently use S-band systems such as the Aegis radar and assured navigation and more for strategic missions.

Document: STRATCOM, SPACECOM, NORTHCOM FY-24 posture statements

Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger spoke yesterday about the amphibious ship fleet at a forum hosted by the Amphibious Warship Industrial Base Coalition:

Commandant endorses block buys for amphibious warships

The Marine Corps' highest-ranking officer today doubled down on the need for 31 traditional amphibious warships and endorsed block buys and other contracting strategies to signal consistent demand to industry.

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