WASHINGTON — The Department of the Air Force on Feb. 12 unveiled plans to reorganize Air Force and Space Force units, change personnel policy, training, operations and acquisitions.
Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said priorities have to change for the era of “great power competition,” particularly with China. He discussed the planned changes in a speech at the Air & Space Forces Association’s Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado.
Great power competition generally refers to the geopolitical rivalry between the United States and China. This competition encompasses not just military might, but also economic influence and technological advancement. China’s rapid military modernization and assertive foreign policy have placed it at the forefront of this competition, prompting the U.S. to re-evaluate its own strategic posture.
Kendall said the Air Force and Space Force will streamline operations and prioritize critical areas like technology integration, cyber expertise, and software development, all to ensure the Air Force and Space Force are prepared for the complex challenges of the 21st century.
The announcement comes as the Pentagon seeks to move on from the counterterrorism missions that dominated since 9/11 and prioritize what it now labels “integrated deterrence” against major rivals.
China’s growing arsenal of long-range missiles and anti-satellite weapons, in particular, threatens American supremacy in areas like air combat and space-enabled intelligence, Kendall has pointed out.
He described the overhaul as a multi-year endeavor but said there is no time to waste. “We are out of time,” Kendall stressed.
Space Force priorities
Chief of Space Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman compared the journey ahead for the Space Force to that of a merchant marine that needs to be more like a navy.
Speaking at the AFA conference, Saltzman said the service will introduce training and education programs tailored…
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