SPECIAL REPORT -- Photos released on the Air Force’s official Web site, Air Force Link, prove that Airmen at all levels are feeling the crunch of stiff Fiscal 2005 budget cuts.

In May 2005, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper directed a service-wide reduction in expenditures to offset a $3 billion deficit and help fund the Global War on Terrorism.

In addition to cutting funding for many quality of life programs -- including valuable base housing playgrounds and new computers to replace the PCs that were bought three months ago -- the budget cuts have apparently prompted some bases to develop creative methods of saving and, in some cases, making money to keep the mission running.

One Air Mobility Command base seems to be leasing its refueling aircraft to local farmers to aid in crop dusting operations. Like their pilots, the large jets apparently expel more than gas, according to this photo sent to us by an anonymous migrant worker. The man said, unlike the small crop dusters, the large Air Force tankers don’t have to worry as much about low-handing electrical and telephone wires. "The giant jets, they cut right through the wires like a hot knife through goat cheese," he said.

Photographic evidence at another base shows dozens of base employees pulling an aircraft out of its hangar -- a job that normally would be handled by an aircraft tow vehicle.  "It was either sell the tow vehicles or close the enlisted club. Everyone who frequents the club voted against closing the facility. All three of them threw a fit," said the 92-year-old club manager.