Washington, D.C. - Today, General Paul Eaton (Ret.), who this week joined the National Security Network as a Senior Adviser, reacted to the Senate removing nearly $2 billion in funding to build seven new F-22 Raptors from the Defense Authorization legislation:

"In stripping $1.75 billion in funds to build seven more F-22 Raptors from the Defense Authorization bill, the Senate has brought our military spending one step closer to matching America's military priorities for the 21st century. The Cold War relic was a symbol of the outdated, unnecessary, and expensive weapon systems that have burdened our defense budgets for far too long. The F-22 fleet as projected, will, with existing fighter aircraft and the F-35 program, maintain the air supremacy our ground forces have benefited from since the Korean War.   
 
"Misplaced defense budget priorities such as additional funding for the F-22 both constrained America's military from adequately addressing the threats we face today and took money away from more essential strategic imperatives.  President Obama and Secretary Gates have admirably advocated a Defense Budget that moves away from this dilemma.
 
"I applaud the Senate action rejecting the F-22 funding and bringing the legislation more in line with the priorities of the President and the Pentagon. For the sake of America's security and military priorities, I hope this is reflected in the final version of the legislation when it heads to the White House for Obama's signature."

Gen. Eaton joins NSN after serving more than 30 years in the United States Army, including combat and post-combat assignments in Iraq, Bosnia and Somalia.  As a major general he was assigned to Iraq as Commanding General of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT), where he developed, designed and began the training of the Iraqi military and security forces from 2003 to 2004. A full bio is below.

Major General Paul D. Eaton, US Army (Ret), Senior Advisor.   Major General Paul D. Eaton served more than 30 years in the United States Army, including combat and post-combat assignments in Iraq, Bosnia and Somalia.  As a major general he was assigned to Iraq as Commanding General of the Coalition Military Assistance Training Team (CMATT), where he developed, designed and began the training of the Iraqi military and security forces from 2003 to 2004. Prior to that assignment, he commanded the Army's Infantry Center and was Chief of Infantry for the Army. Eaton has appeared on Hardball, Face the Nation, and Tavis Smiley discussing US national security and human rights policy.  In 2008 Eaton served as an advisor to Senator Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign.  He holds a bachelor's degree from West Point and a master's in French from Middlebury College.  He is married to PJ, has two sons and a daughter, all soldiers.