WASHINGTON, March 30 (UPI) -- Some top U.S. officials say they were outraged by the U.S. Air Force's "Above All" ads, saying they were geared to garnering funds not recruiting.
The Air Force ran several television and print ads featuring images and slogans depicting concerns about U.S. national security such as references to the Chinese army and terrorists.
Pentagon officials noted the ads "appear to be pushing the envelope" of pressuring the Bush administration to boost its support for the Air Force. "It doesn't look like a recruiting ad," one senior Pentagon official told the Los Angeles Times.
Air Force officials said the ads were "designed to be a little provocative" in order to create a conversation in the public about the Air Force's role in national security and encourage people to "join our team," the Times reported Sunday.
But top congressional leaders, including Rep. John Murtha, D-Pa., of the House Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, said the ads were "outrageous" and questioned whether the campaign was an illegal lobbying effort on the part of the Air Force.
It is against the law for the branches of the armed forces to directly solicit funds.
