slim said:
When I was on 809 Buccaneer squadron in 1976 we disembarked to an American naval station (Cecil Fields). The squadron who were hosting us were not flying any of their aircraft. Turned out that they had spent their annual allowance and the aircraft were being kept grounded until the new financial year. Don't think we ever had it that bad.
Check your dates, Slim. 1976. Ancient history. That squadron was the victim of post-Vietnam penny-pinching, as was the entire US Military.
At that time, the Military was seen as a big, dangerous dog that had to quickly be brought to heel, and stuffed back into its kennel.
Now some would argue that we're in a similar situation today (unpopular, unnescessary war, etc), the difference is, that now the armed forces are enjoying far more public (and therefore, political) support, and are unlikely to be left out in the cold again.
Believe it or not, it is possible to upgrade capability, and still save money.
An example of this if the new Virginia-Class fast-attack submarines:
They are larger, and more multi-mission capable than the Seawolf class, but cheaper to build, and actualy several hundred tons lighter than the 'Wolves, due to better, lighter alloys used in construction. The key to the savings was using pre-existing technology wherever feasable, instead of a bunch of new, expensive geegaws with little practical value to justify their expense.