Special to WorldTribune.com

Bill Gertz, Washington Free Beacon

U.S. military capabilities declined during the Obama administration and deep defense spending cuts are increasing the risk that American forces will lose a future war, the Joint Chiefs of Staff told Congress on Tuesday.

Navy shipbuilding and weapons buys have been cut sharply and modernization delayed, a key Army weapons system has been canceled, and Air Force combat forces are unprepared for a major conflict, the four military chiefs testified to a hearing of the House Armed Services Committee.

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Welsh said even if the current budget request is approved, the Air Force will need eight to 10 years to restore “full-spectrum readiness” for its air and space forces.

“The problem we have is if we don’t invest in readiness today, we risk losing the fight today,” Welsh said. “If we don’t invest in readiness and capability for the future, we risk losing the fight 10 to 20 years from now.”

The military and service leaders warned that the combination of growing threats—from such states as Russia and North Korea and from terrorist groups—along with years of budget cuts under the Obama administration have increased the dangers to U.S. national security.

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  Jt. Chiefs warn America will lose a future war