Category: Aviation

Source: United States Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force unveiled a $217.5 billion budget request March 11, designed to continue modernizing the Air Force and Space Force, maintain readiness to respond to current threats, and address key capability gaps while investing to manage risks that are increasing with time.

The $217.5 billion proposal that Congress will now consider for fiscal year 2025 includes $188.1 billion for the Air Force and $29.4 billion for the Space Force. If enacted into law, the Department’s overall budget would grow by 1.1 percent, $2.4 billion, from last fiscal year’s budget.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall stressed the importance of adequately funding the military for competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

“I think that 2025, while difficult, is at a level that I think we can accept, and it will still allow us to make progress on the modernization we need,” Kendall said.

The FY 2025 budget was built for each service’s unique mission.

“The Air Force’s core functions remain unchanged: air superiority, global strike, rapid global mobility, command and control, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance,” said Kristyn Jones, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Air Force. “The Space Force’s efforts reflect the indispensable support that underpins all other joint operations and its continued transformation into a warfighting service to secure our interests in, from and to space.”

The budget request includes:

•             $14.9 billion investment to enhance competitive capabilities and maintain air domain lethality

•             $24.9 billion to ensure unmatched ability to deliver global strike around the world

•             $29.4 billion in readiness while continuing to make maximum possible investment in modernization

•             $4.7 billion to proliferate a multi-orbit missile warning architecture to counter near-peer threats

•             $538 million for Agile Combat Employment to build the right mix of capabilities to defend against current and future threats

•             $6.2 billion in commercial space launches and resilient space data network to deliver capabilities to the Joint Force in, from and to Space

•             $4.4 billion in funds for integrating satellite communications to increase space superiority by connecting and supporting our allies and partners

•             $3.4 billion in the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems to augment current and future platforms in highly contested environments

Acknowledging the practicalities of economic factors, the budget proposal accommodates inflation and rising fuel costs, and for quality of life and retention of personnel:

•             $42.9 billion to improve quality of life for Airmen and Guardians including a 4.5 percent pay raise

•             $1.1 billion for bonus and retention programs for 118,000 critically skilled positions

This budget proposal represents the Department’s priorities for maintaining the nation’s security and interests. For additional information on the DAF FY 2025 budget, as well as previous DAF budgets, visit the Headquarters Air Force financial management page.

Source: United States Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force unveiled a $217.5 billion budget request March 11, designed to continue modernizing the Air Force and Space Force, maintain readiness to respond to current threats, and address key capability gaps while investing to manage risks that are increasing with time.

The $217.5 billion proposal that Congress will now consider for fiscal year 2025 includes $188.1 billion for the Air Force and $29.4 billion for the Space Force. If enacted into law, the Department’s overall budget would grow by 1.1 percent, $2.4 billion, from last fiscal year’s budget.

Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall stressed the importance of adequately funding the military for competitiveness in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

“I think that 2025, while difficult, is at a level that I think we can accept, and it will still allow us to make progress on the modernization we need,” Kendall said.

The FY 2025 budget was built for each service’s unique mission.

“The Air Force’s core functions remain unchanged: air superiority, global strike, rapid global mobility, command and control, and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance,” said Kristyn Jones, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of the Air Force. “The Space Force’s efforts reflect the indispensable support that underpins all other joint operations and its continued transformation into a warfighting service to secure our interests in, from and to space.”

The budget request includes:

•             $14.9 billion investment to enhance competitive capabilities and maintain air domain lethality

•             $24.9 billion to ensure unmatched ability to deliver global strike around the world

•             $29.4 billion in readiness while continuing to make maximum possible investment in modernization

•             $4.7 billion to proliferate a multi-orbit missile warning architecture to counter near-peer threats

•             $538 million for Agile Combat Employment to build the right mix of capabilities to defend against current and future threats

•             $6.2 billion in commercial space launches and resilient space data network to deliver capabilities to the Joint Force in, from and to Space

•             $4.4 billion in funds for integrating satellite communications to increase space superiority by connecting and supporting our allies and partners

•             $3.4 billion in the Next Generation Air Dominance Family of Systems to augment current and future platforms in highly contested environments

Acknowledging the practicalities of economic factors, the budget proposal accommodates inflation and rising fuel costs, and for quality of life and retention of personnel:

•             $42.9 billion to improve quality of life for Airmen and Guardians including a 4.5 percent pay raise

•             $1.1 billion for bonus and retention programs for 118,000 critically skilled positions

This budget proposal represents the Department’s priorities for maintaining the nation’s security and interests. For additional information on the DAF FY 2025 budget, as well as previous DAF budgets, visit the Headquarters Air Force financial management page.

Source: United States Air Force

TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. (AFNS) —  

The 325th Fighter Wing recently hosted exercise Crown Royal 24-2 at Tyndall Air Force Base Feb. 20-March 6, to test the wing’s ability to generate, employ and sustain combat forces.

Exercises like CR 24-2 are an Air Force instruction requirement for evaluating combat readiness and improving coordination for various situational requirements.

“We want to train the way we fight; if we’re not testing our ability to do our job under strenuous conditions, how are we going to know if we’re ready to fight in a deployed environment?” said Maj. Kurt Helfrich, 325th FW inspector general. “This exercise is vital to find where friction points are so we can fail in a safe environment. This is a ‘lab’ where we can try different things, but once we’re in a combat scenario we don’t have the time or opportunities to gauge our limits.”

The exercise is broken down into two components: phase one (the generation phase) and phase two (the employment phase). Phase one involves planning for the deployment and the generation of personnel and cargo, simultaneously testing abilities to marshal those resources and prepare exercise players for phase two. The second phase simulates operating in a downrange environment while individuals wear Mission Oriented Protective Posture Gear and accomplish mission essential tasks.

“During the generation phase, people are preparing to deploy,” said Frank Labroad, 325th FW IG chief of exercise plans. “The end of the generation phase has people ‘deploying’ from the installation. The employment phase is after they have arrived at their forward location and are now executing their mission essential tasks under [simulated] combat conditions.”

As the 325th FW pivots from a training to a combat mission, coinciding with the Air Force transitioning to the Air Force Force Generation model, the wing’s focus shifts more to readiness. AFFORGREN, the first change in generating forces for combat scenarios in over 20 years, is designed to improve readiness for combat situations and improve the capabilities the Air Force provides to the joint force while also establishing a more structured cycle to prepare Airmen for downrange operations.

Helfrich stated the wing plans on standing up as a combat-ready lead wing for ACC in 2025, with the 95th Fighter Squadron ready to deploy and sustain combat forces.

“Our new [mission] being combat related requires us to change the mindset of the base,” Labroad explained. “Exercises like this are kind of a way of shaking people out of the old way of thinking. We want individuals to realize and understand how far we need to get to for our new mission and embrace the change.”

With the base-wide reconstruction continuing, CR 24-2 was employed in a unique scenario. The higher traffic on all sites resulted in the exercise transpiring dispersedly, with players performing the exercise in normal duty locations.

“It’s atypical, but we’re pushing to do the best with our situation– making lemonade out of lemons,” Helfrich said. “As the ‘Installation of the Future’ comes along, we plan on [further] mimicking that downrange environment with an exercise area.”

The 325th FW will accomplish more exercises like CR 24-2 as the AFFORGEN transition and the Ready Airman Training requirements increase. The 325th FW IG office plants to accelerate the tempo and complexity in which exercises are executed in order to produce the most ready and capable Airmen when called upon.

Source: United States Air Force

JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md. (AFNS) —  

Chief Master Sgt. David A. Flosi was formally installed March 8 as the 20th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force. 

In remarks after the formal “Change of Responsibility” ceremony in which he assumed the job from retiring Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, Flosi emphasized both the opportunity before him and what it means to the Total Force at a time of dramatic change and challenge across the service.

“As I assume this role, I’m aware of the challenges ahead,” Flosi said. “We live in a rapidly evolving world, where new threats emerge with alarming frequency, and the demands on our Air Force continue to grow.

“While demanding, I am confident in our ability to rise to the occasion. I am confident because over the course of my career, time and time again, I have witnessed the dedication and professionalism of our Airmen,” he said. 

Flosi’s installation as the highest-ranking enlisted noncommissioned officer in the Air Force completes a total overhaul of senior military leaders for the service. Gen. David Allvin was installed as Air Force chief of staff on Nov. 2 and Gen. Jim Slife officially became Air Force vice chief of staff on Dec. 29.

All three senior leaders, along with Department of the Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, will be instrumental in successfully establishing far-reaching plans to “reoptimize” the Air Force to better confront China and other modern-day adversaries. 

Allvin stressed that effort in welcoming Flosi during the dignified ceremony, which also included comments from Gen. CQ Brown, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and, prior to that, Air Force chief of staff. 

“Dynamic, fast-paced environments require agile, determined leadership – that’s exactly what Chief Flosi brings to the fight,” Allvin said. “We’ve got work to do, and I know Chief Flosi is ready to move out on reoptimization to enhance our readiness and mold our one Air Force.”

In his remarks, Kendall offered a glowing tribute to Bass and provided clear guidance for what he expects from Flosi. 

Bass, he said, “has served over 30 years in the Air Force, and we are an infinitely better organization because of your service. She’s been a standout leader at every level. 

“Chief Flosi, you’re going to have to fill some pretty big shoes. I look forward to working together and to everything you have to offer. I want to welcome you to an incredible team. … We will need your experience and your perspective to make sure the needs of our Airmen and their families are always at the forefront of all of our efforts,” Kendall said. 

Brown echoed Kendall in his praise and admiration for Bass.  

“Jo, I’m so glad I hired you. You’ve been an inspiration for me. We were able to break barriers together,” Brown said, referring to their shared histories in which Brown was the first African American to be named Chief of Staff of any branch of the military and Bass’s selection as the first woman to serve as a Service senior enlisted advisor in the history of the United States military. 

“You’ve been an inspiration to me. You’ve been an inspiration to our Air Force; you’ve been an inspiration to our nation,” Brown said. 

Flosi steps into the job being vacated by the retiring Bass, who senior leaders said set the standard by which all subsequent Chiefs will be judged. 

“Chief Bass’s passion for Airmen and their families has defined her time as our 19th Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force,” Allvin said. “Her tireless work on their behalf has propelled our force forward.  Even after over 30 years of dedicated service, I have no doubts that she will continue to be an advocate for Airmen and airpower moving forward.”   

In her remarks at the dignified ceremony, Bass highlighted memories and achievements from across her 31-year career. She thanked a list of people who helped her at every point, including her husband Rahn, her parents, and a large group of Air Force colleagues who served as mentors and role models. 

She directed special praise to Brown, who selected her to be chief master sergeant of the Air Force when Brown served as chief of staff. 

“General Brown, chairman, thank you for hiring me as your wingman and chief. The best words you shared with me were ‘proceed until apprehended.’ And I did just that,” she said.  

“I may have gotten apprehended once or twice, maybe three times. In any case, you let me be me and get after the things that matter to our Airmen and their families. It’s been an honor for Rahn and I to serve alongside you and Sharene,” she said.   

Flosi’s new job is similar to his previous post but on a larger, more high-profile stage. He arrived at the Pentagon from Air Force Materiel Command at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where he served as the command chief master sergeant. That role was similar in many respects to the role he now assuming. At AFMC, he is the senior enlisted leader and the primary advisor to the commander on all matters regarding the readiness, training, professional development, and effective utilization of the command’s 89,000 total force Airmen.

Like his predecessors, Flosi pledged to lock arms with Airmen to help them – and the Air Force – thrive and succeed. 

“Today, as we stand on the dawn of a new era, we recognize we are serving at a time of consequence. It is imperative we acknowledge the urgency of the challenges we face,” he said. 

Later in his remarks, he added, “Fellow Airmen, my commitment to you and to our Air Force is unwavering. As we navigate the complexities of great power competition and seek to optimize our force, I pledge to be your wingman.” 

Prior to his tour at Wright-Patterson AFB, Flosi served as the command chief master sergeant at the Air Force’s Sustainment Center at Tinker AFB, Oklahoma. 

Flosi began his Air Force career in 1996 as a nuclear weapons specialist. That focus expanded over the years to include various leadership duties in conventional and nuclear munitions, as well as missile operations, program management and test and contingency operations. 

Like Bass and previous CMSAFs, Flosi will be the public face for Air Force personnel to those in all levels of government. He will be a personal adviser to Allvin and other senior leaders, both military and civilian, and will be expected to provide insight on issues regarding the welfare, readiness, morale and proper utilization and progress of the Air Force’s entire cadre of Airmen. 

Flosi emerged as the clear choice from a group of the most highly respected, experienced graduated command chief master sergeants from across the Air Force’s global operations, officials said. These leaders were selected based on breadth of experience, recommendations from senior commanders and performance across each candidate’s Air Force career. 

 

Source: United States Air Force

WASHINGTON (AFNS) —  

Just days before releasing the proposed defense budget for fiscal year 2025, Department of the Air Force senior leaders emphasized the need for on-time appropriations and provided their perspective on the priorities and needs current and future budgets must fulfill during the 15th Annual McAleese Defense Programs Conference on March 7.

While the soon-to-be-released FY25 budget proposal is the first step in a long, uncertain process, senior leaders pointed out that the Department of Defense still awaits final passage of the 2024 budget. Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall said he is optimistic the spending plan for a fiscal year that began Oct. 1, 2023, will be passed soon. Filling the budget gap since then have been a series of temporary budgets known as continuing resolutions.

“I’m feeling a little more optimistic today,” he said. “I was up on the [Capitol] Hill yesterday when the House voted on two appropriations bills and it looks like we’re in a better posture to get some appropriations out. But we’ve had to wait a very long time, the [continuing resolution] for several months, obviously, this year, even more than usual. So, hopefully we’ll get those resources [and] we’ll be able to move forward,” he said.

The McAleese Conference provides a full day of in-person, interactive briefings by senior DoD principals, administration officials and key members of Congress to address critical defense challenges and priorities. On the heels of the DAF’s publication of 24 key changes needed to ready the force for Great Power Competition, Kendall said that, while this budget doesn’t include funding specifically for the newly-announced reoptimization efforts, those costs are a reality his service chiefs will have to account for moving forward.

“I’d like to say there’s going to be zero cost changes, but there’s not,” Kendall said. “There will be some costs associated with some of the things we’re going to do. We’re going to take active steps to minimize those costs and the disruption for people, but they’re changes we need, and these changes put us in a much better posture.”

The annual conference affords an opportunity for senior military leaders to meet with and have deeper conversations with defense experts, leaders from the industrial base, and congressional members about threat-driven budget requirements.

Growing threats to space security, particularly from China and Russia, were highlighted by U.S. Space Force Vice Chief of Space Operations, Gen. Michael A. Guetlein. He emphasized the significance of space superiority and stressed the need for the Space Force to be resourced and postured for perpetual competition.

“The threat is the why; it is why we stood up the Space Force in 2019, it is why you all are here today,” he said. “Over the past decade, the People’s Republic of China and, to some extent, the Russian Federation, have significantly increased their ability to directly challenge us and allied space capabilities. Not only have they demonstrated the intent to deny our use of space for peace and defense, but in many instances, they have also proven the capability to do so.”

To address potential threats, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin spoke on the need to transform procurement. He said weapons were previously judged on endurance; however, maintaining them comes with upkeep costs and a larger footprint. In an ever-changing battlespace, the mark of an enduring advantage will be capabilities and weapon sets that are capable of changing quickly to meet evolving requirements.

“We want an enduring advantage. And the enduring advantage is not going to be a single capability; it’s going to be the ability for the entire enterprise to adapt and move forward as required,” Allvin said. “I think we’re talking about agility. I think there’s also a case to be made for more agility when it comes to how we allocate and how we update the allocation of resources.”

While speaking on his vision for the future of the Air Force, Allvin emphasized the need for organizational alignment, agility and enterprise solutions to face potential future conflicts, which will look different than what was seen over the past two decades and require maximum investment in modernization. That investment begins with a reevaluation of how acquisitions take place and the lifespan of capabilities.

“The idea of being able to integrate from the start is one of those initiatives, and that’s the integrated capability,” Allvin said. “We have several others, but it’s the idea of narrowing in on the commander’s focus on one mission, be ruthless about that, hold them accountable on that and have them hold the enterprise accountable for delivering what they require.”

Guetlein discussed efforts to reoptimize for Great Power Competition in the space domain, including capability development, people readiness and power projection, likening his service’s development to the way the U.S. Navy was derived from a peacetime force to one required to establish sea superiority.

“The Space Force was created to respond to an increasingly contested space domain. We are on a journey to forge a purpose-built Space Force to deter and if needed, defeat any rival to maintain control of the space domain.”

He emphasized that accomplishing domain superiority requires swift action and a total effort with strong military and civilian partnerships.

“We must invest more in test and training, in space domain awareness, in command and control, and the ability to control the domain,” he said. “We must continue to break down the security barriers and build stronger partnerships with our allies and with industry.”

Kendall explained that, just like how enduring advantage and acquisitions will look differently, the operations and deployments of Airmen must also change to face a different challenge than the ones they’ve faced in past decades.

“(We came from) an era where those deployments were largely about rotational deployments to the Middle East, and incurred for a structure that does things around the world on a stable, continuous peacetime basis for the most part,” Kendall said. “That is not the posture you need to be in if you’re going to respond to great power and deter great power acts of aggression like we have now seen in Europe and which we might see at any time in the Pacific.”

Source: United States Air Force

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (AFNS) —  

In this week’s look around the Air Force, Chief of Staff General David Allvin talks about reoptimizing the Air Force for Great Power Competition during a talk at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C., the Air Force releases updates and clarifications to dress and appearance standards, and a proof-of-concept launch and landing of an MQ-9 Reaper via satellite makes history at Shaw AFB, S.C.  (Hosted by Tech. Sgt. Milton Hamilton)

Watch on DVIDS | Watch on YouTube
For previous episodes, click here for the Air Force TV page.

Source: United States Air Force

INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Türkiye (AFNS) —  

Source: United States Air Force

CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. (AFNS) —  

More than 4,000 service members and civilians from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Space Force, as well as members from United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, France and Japan, participated in Project Convergence Capstone Four at Camp Pendleton and Fort Irwin in February and March.

The Department of the Air Force’s role in the Army-led experiment was to provide a multi-service synchronized air picture, enabling decision making up- and down- echelon and across the joint force with mission partners and allies.

“The Air Force is using several TOC-Ls, or Tactical Operations Center-Light, a mobile and tactical C2 battle management system, bringing hundreds of data feeds together to create an air picture,” said Brig. Gen. Luke Cropsey, Department of the Air Force Integrating Program Executive Officer for Command, Control, Communications and Battle Management. “This provides information across command-and-control nodes, ultimately allowing us to make decisions faster than the pacing challenge.”

Project Convergence is a continuous experiment with many exercises and experiments taking place throughout the year. The capstone will aid in developing new strategies and skills to advance modernization, concepts and integrated technologies.

“We’ve seen several successful firsts, specifically with integrated fires and cruise missile defense, showcasing how we can use TOC-L today while also leveraging lessons learned and improving our C2 processes for decision advantage,” said Brig. Gen. Daniel Clayton, Advanced Battle Management System Cross-Functional Team director. “These experiments allow us to continue honing our programs, while also demonstrating how valuable being ‘integrated by design’ can be with the other services and mission partners. Integrating from the beginning is key to successful capability development and modernizing command and control now.”

The joint experiment allows for continuous learning to inform future readiness and modernization activities and helps inform reliable network systems, data-driven decisions and joint warfighting concepts.

The capstone was the largest two-phase experiment to date, with enduring objectives and learning demands evolving from the Project Convergence campaign of persistent experimentation. The experiment aids senior leaders with decision-making for designing and delivering a future force while also strengthening joint and multinational partnerships.

The first Project Convergence capstone events started in 2020, and the most recent capstone took place in November 2022. Each capstone event works on transforming how future warfighters will operate in fast-paced, high-tech, multi-domain environments.

Source: United States Air Force

ANDERSEN AIR FORCE BASE, Guam (AFNS) —  

Members of the U.S. Air Force, Indonesian Air Force, Philippine Air Force, Royal Malaysian Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force came together to participate in the regional air domain awareness Senior Leader Seminar on Andersen Air Force Base, Guam, from Feb. 26 – Mar. 1.

Throughout the seminar, leaders discussed air domain strategies, policies, terminology and also developed a network of Allies and partners that have a shared understanding of air domain awareness.

“ADA is providing countries with knowledge of what is happening in their area so that they can ensure the sovereignty of their nation,” said Kevin Palko, Pacific Air Force ADA program manager. “While the course contains a lot of discussion on equipment and training, the core of it is with our Allies and partners’ trust and improving our relationships.”

Palko explained that Andersen AFB was an important place to host the ADA seminar due to its critical location in the Indo-Pacific and because it is home to the 36th Tactical Advisory Squadron.

“The 36th TAS is comprised of highly skilled personnel providing expertise, training and mentorship to partner nations’ air forces,” said U.S. Air Force Master Sgt. Alan Alexander, 36th TAS current operations superintendent. “Our mission is to foster strategic partnerships, enhance regional security and deliver unparalleled expertise in airpower integration, ensuring a dynamic and collaborative force ready to meet pacing challenges.”

The 36th TAS also works directly with our Allies and partners through 35 different programs that go beyond air domain awareness.

“We collaborate with a diverse range of countries across the Indo-Pacific region, including but not limited to: Japan, Australia, Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, India, Indonesia and the Freely Associated States,” Alexander said. “Our engagements span various areas such as training, exercises and capacity-building efforts to promote regional security and interoperability aligned with significant security cooperation initiatives.”

While the 36th TAS has been working with our Allies and partners, Palko was working to develop the ADA course for the past two years. He expressed his gratitude towards all the individuals that came together to make it possible and looks forward to seeing ADA grow within Indo-Pacific Region.

“This is just the beginning of a five-year plan for the ADA program and after the first day it was a great feeling to see the vision of the program become a reality,” Palko said.

Source: United States Air Force

ARLINGTON, Va. (AFNS) —  

The Department of the Air Force selected Warfield Air National Guard Base, Maryland, as the preferred location to transition from an A-10 to a cyber wing mission.

Replacing the aging A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at the 175th Fighter Wing with a cyber mission will create a natural synergy between cyber assets at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group already operating out of Warfield ANGB.

The transition of the 175th Fighter Wing to a cyber wing also aligns the Maryland Air National Guard with an enduring modern mission that meets the requirements of the National Defense Strategy. Warfield ANGB is not precluded from being considered for other potential missions in the future.

Divestment of the 21 A-10s at Warfield ANGB is forecasted to begin in fall 2024. Manpower numbers are expected to remain neutral but will be finalized over the next year.

The Department of the Air Force will now conduct environmental impact analysis for the cyber wing, which is expected to be completed by fall 2025 before a final decision is made.