DOD Eying Potential $6B Deficit In FY-13 Contingency Operations Account

摘要

The Defense Department is forecasting a shortfall of as much as $6 billion in its operations and maintenance accounts during the final months of fiscal year 2013 due to unanticipated, must-pay bills associated with operations near Iran and Pakistan's blockade last year of NATO ground supply routes, according to Pentagon officials. On Feb. 13, in prepared testimony to the House Armed Services Committee, Deputy Defense Secretary Ashton Carter disclosed that operating costs in FY-13 are expected to be $5 billion to $6 billion higher than the Pentagon sought in its FY-13 budget request.