Military Priorities of the New Administration: Allvin Proposes Increased Air Force
U.S. Air Force Chief Highlights Need for Investment and Modernization at AFA Symposium
In a keynote address at the Air Force Association's Warfare Symposium on March 3, U.S. Air Force chief of staff General David W. Allvin underscored the importance of investing in the Air Force as a critical component of rebuilding the U.S. military and restoring deterrence, aligned with the objectives of the Trump administration and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Allvin lauded the resilience of the Air Force in managing rising costs for maintaining its aging fleet, which averages over 32 years in age. However, he emphasized the need for investments to address these needs and ensure the Air Force remains a vital force.
"More Air Force is essential, but it means more than simply amplifying the status quo," Allvin said. He argued that the Air Force is currently overburdened, with a significant reduction in squadrons and Airmen since the end of the Cold War, while only 15% of its bases have been cut. Allvin suggested that shedding unneeded bases and reinvesting the savings in aircraft and weapons modernization could be part of the solution.
Potential funding shifts could be on the horizon, with Defense Secretary Hegseth planning a comprehensive "budget relook." Allvin expressed a desire to demonstrate his priorities' flexibility and effectiveness, stating, "I'm not just asking for more—more Air Force means more teeth-to-tail, more of what the nation needs to meet the president's and the secretary's priorities."
Allvin addressed concerns that the Air Force's resources are stretched too thin for many missions, leading to compromises in maintenance, parts, and flying hours. He highlighted the rising costs of sustainment, declining mission capable rates, and the rapid increase in maintenance requirements, with the number of maintenance actions per flying hour nearly doubling since 1997.
Alvin presented statistics demonstrating the rising average age of the fleet, from 17.2 years in 1994 to 31.7 years in 2024, alongside a drop in aircraft availability rates from 72.9% to 53.9%. He acknowledged that these challenges have made it difficult to modernize, leading to increased man-hours per flying hour.
The future of the Air Force will be determined as part of a broader Pentagon spending overhaul. Alvin’s priorities, such as addressing homeland defense, nuclear deterrence, traditional deterrence, and conflict, align with the administration's key priorities and may create opportunities for expanded funding if repurposed funds are directed towards the service.
Alvin pointed to the Air Force's ability to address the administration's priorities, particularly nuclear modernization and semi-autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft, as evidence of its potential. He concluded by emphasizing the importance of airpower, stating, "Everything from rapid response to decisive victory—airpower is particularly well-suited to deliver these options."
A larger Air Force, however, is not guaranteed, as the Trump administration could opt to reallocate funds to other priorities. Alvin was noncommittal about specific missions or cuts under consideration, acknowledging that the possibilities are preliminary and dependent on final administration decisions.
Addressing a quote from Theodore Roosevelt's "Citizenship in a Republic" speech that had been used by Chief of Space Operations Gen. B. Chance Saltzman in his opening keynote, Allvin encouraged his Airmen, saying, "Now is the time for daring greatly" and "come on in, the water's fine."
In recent months, General Allvin has garnered attention for his focus on modernization, emphasizing initiatives like Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), as well as the importance of recruiting and retaining top talent. He has also discussed the need for a larger Air Force budget share and questioned the wisdom of competing with other services for resources.
The Enrichment Data suggests that Allvin's priorities for the U.S. Air Force closely align with the Trump administration's focus on military modernization, readiness, and maintaining U.S. dominance in the face of global challenges. By investing in modern systems, increasing readiness, revitalizing the warrior ethos, and advocating for a greater Air Force budget share, General Allvin is positioning the Air Force to meet both current and future challenges effectively.
- General David W. Goldfein, the U.S. Air Force chief of staff, advocated for investment and modernization at the Air Force Association's Warfare Symposium, emphasizing the need to rebuild the U.S. military and maintain deterrence.
- In his keynote address, General Goldfein highlighted the Air Force's aging fleet and its resilience in managing high costs, but underscored the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the Air Force remains a crucial force.
- Goldfein suggested that shedding unneeded bases and reinvesting the savings in aircraft and weapons modernization could be one solution to the Air Force's overburdened status.
- Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is planning a "budget relook," and potential funding shifts for the Air Force could be on the horizon.
- The future of the Air Force will be determined in a broader Pentagon spending overhaul, and General Goldfein's priorities align with the administration's key priorities, potentially creating opportunities for expanded funding.
- General Goldfein emphasized the importance of airpower in various situations, from rapid response to decisive victory, and encouraged his Airmen, borrowing a quote from Theodore Roosevelt's "Citizenship in a Republic" speech, saying, "Now is the time for daring greatly" and "come on in, the water's fine."
