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CSAF letter to Airmen on Air Force’s strategic direction

  • Published
  • By Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David W. Allvin
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs

Fellow Airmen,

A year and a half ago, I committed to leading our Air Force into the future through initiatives designed to ensure we remain the world’s most lethal force. This update outlines our strategic direction as we continue to revive our warrior ethos and rebuild our military. Our focus remains to ensure we are organized, trained, and equipped for high-end conflict while maintaining our ability to dominate across the full spectrum of warfare. We are forging the future of airpower, creating One Air Force that’s more agile than ever before.

We are continually enhancing our air combat capabilities.

• Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD): The awarding of the NGAD penetrating counter-air platform contract is the next step to shaping the future of warfare by developing the world’s first sixth generation fighter. For five years we have laid the foundation of the F-47, and I am excited to see this aircraft come to fruition soon. New capabilities like these, along with CCA and the entire NGAD family of systems, will be crucial in securing air superiority in future conflicts.

• Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA): We are committed to fielding new capabilities with CCA. In early March, we announced the first-ever fighter designation of two Mission Design Series for CCA: the YFQ-42A (General Atomics) and the YFQ-44A (Anduril), which has begun ground testing and will be ready to fly this summer. These aircraft continue to demonstrate the integration of human-machine teaming.

We are focusing on Generating Readiness.

• Department-Level Exercise (DLE) Series: In Summer 2025, the Department of the Air Force (DAF) will combine Bamboo Eagle and Resolute Force Pacific exercises, involving 300 aircraft and 2,000 personnel across the Indo-Pacific region. This first-of-its-kind combined exercise enhances multilateral cooperation, rapid deployment, and sustained logistics under threat, demonstrating our shared commitment to global stability and building on exercises like Bamboo Eagle 25-1 executed in February 2025.

• Basic Military Training (BMT) PACER FORGE (Provisional): The DAF has evolved how it trains future Airmen with the launch of PACER FORGE—an enhanced, scenario-based culminating event at BMT. The new exercise expands from 36 to 57 hours, emphasizing collaboration, accountability, and critical thinking in a simulated operational environment. By introducing operational concepts and mission-focused skills earlier in training, PACER FORGE reinforces the warrior mindset from day one.

We are harnessing the innovative talent and warrior ethos that exist in every corner of our Air Force.

• Developing the Right Skillsets: To dominate in every warfighting domain, the Air Force will develop expert Airmen with specialized skillsets, especially in rapidly evolving domains like cyber and space. In March 2025, the Air Force graduated the second class of prior-service Airmen to Warrant Officers. To date, 60 Active Duty, Guard, and Reserve service members have graduated from Warrant Officer Training School, with the third cohort graduating in May 2025.

We are committed to the success of the team.

• Recruiting Efforts: In the last six months, our recruiting statistics have continually exceeded our goals. In FY25, over sixteen thousand active-duty recruits have already been sent to Basic Training. We have already enlisted or signed up 74% of our FY25 goal with 6 months left in the year, a true testament to our unwavering commitment to build the best warfighting team possible.

• DAF-Wide Implementation of Co-Location of Victim Services: To date, all (up 80% from six months ago) installations have implemented a hybrid approach for co-location of victim services. This Connect to Care approach ensures the right coordination and handoff between the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA) supporting sexual harassment advocacy, Family Advocacy Program Domestic Abuse Victim Advocate (FAP DAVA), Victims’ Counsel (VC), and Religious Support Teams (RSTs).

• Policy and Standards Update: We have clarified policies and standards after realizing they were complex and difficult to comply with. We will continue to review these policies to ensure they are easily understood, implemented, and enforced consistently across the Air Force. This effort reinforces our commitment to prioritizing the needs of the team.

We are providing the support our Airmen and their families expect and deserve.

• DAF Financial Readiness Program Modernization: To better equip Airmen with the tools to achieve financial success, the DAF’s Financial Readiness Program introduced new marketing efforts and revamped educational content. Rolled out in 2025, these updates are available through Military and Family Readiness Centers at all installations, delivering financial training from budgeting and credit management to home buying and retirement planning.

• DAF Dining Facility Menu Modernization: Responding to feedback, the Air Force updated its dining facility menu—the first update since 2019. With over 50 new, more nutritious recipes, this change aligns legacy facilities with Food 2.0, better supporting warfighter performance.

Our Air Force is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and we're tackling the right challenges head-on to build a stronger force for today and tomorrow! We are committed to providing you with the training, equipment, and support you need to excel as warfighters. While our tools and structures will continue to evolve, the heart of our Air Force – the courage, determination, and unwavering dedication instilled in every Airman since 1947 – remains our most powerful asset. Together, we're forging One Air Force that's faster, smarter, more lethal, and more agile than ever before!