• This year’s Air Force Association Warfare Symposium saw reduced participation from policymakers, defense contractors and members of the armed forces. Uncertainty and uneasiness over the future may be a contributing factor.
• With Troy Meink nominated as the new secretary of the Air Force and awaiting Senate confirmation, efforts to adapt to current threats are on hold.
• The Space Force is seeking to expand its abilities, introducing two new initiatives during the meeting.

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The atmosphere at this year’s Air Force Association (AFA) Warfare Symposium mirrored how many are feeling at the current moment in time. In a significant shift from 13 months ago, participation from policymakers, defense contractors and Air and Space Force leadership was noticeably reduced. Current events have left many attendees feeling uneasy and uncertain about the future.

Gens. David Allvin and Chance Saltzman, who publicly expressed confidence in their mission and the direction they want their airmen and guardians to take, kicked off this year’s event with messages about staying the course and doing whatever it takes.

A new administration presents new challenges and opportunities

A little more than a year ago, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin addressed a packed house at the AFA’s annual Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colorado. Fast forward 13 months, and one presidential election, and the room was half-full, signaling that Air Force leadership is closely monitoring developments from the White House.

Despite the smaller crowd, General Allvin acknowledged the presence of a new commander-in-chief and the tough decisions about the Air Force’s future that will fall on President Donald Trump’s desk. Allvin aims to ensure that Trump’s decisions are well-informed.

“I think we need more options for the president, and that’s what air power provides — more options for the president, everything from rapid response all the way to decisive victory,” Allvin said. “That is what air power anytime, anywhere, means. It’s not just an aspiration. It’s a promise that we have to hold.”

What is the status of the Air Force?

Allvin said he believes the nation’s security depends on reshaping the Air Force to address emerging threats, although the path to achieving such a goal is still taking shape. With Troy Meink nominated as the new secretary of the Air Force and awaiting Senate confirmation, efforts to adapt to current threats are on hold.

Despite this, Allvin emphazised the importance of reviewing past actions and future plans to align with the secretary of defense’s priorities. He also said he hopes that proposed changes, especially those improving lethality and capabilities, will be embraced.

“So I’m confident, and I actually look forward to when we get a confirmed secretary and undersecretary, because I have a hunch that when they see some of these things we’re doing, we’re going to be told to go faster,” Allvin said.

What is the Space Force doing to maintain superiority?

On the first day of the symposium, U.S. Space Force Chief of Operations Gen. Chance Saltzman outlined the Space Force’s priorities for ensuring space superiority. He stressed that the job is to control the space domain while denying it to adversaries.

“Doing so under stressing conditions of crisis and conflict requires a purpose-built organization tailor-made with the institutions, the equipment, the tactics, the training, the warrior ethos required to use military force to control the space domain. In other words, it requires a Space Force,” Saltzman said.

Is space really that disconnected from what happens on Earth?

Saltzman reminded attendees that the U.S. economy, infrastructure, banking and communication all rely on space. He believes the U.S. and its allies must be confident they can operate successfully in an increasingly crowded and adversarial space environment. He stated that the Space Force should be seen as a warfighting domain, not just a support function.

“We must think of space as a warfighting domain, rather than just a collection of support activities,” Saltzman said. “The Space Force must organize, train, equip and conduct warfighting operations as an integral part of the joint and combined force. For this reason, guardians are the warfighters with the unique education, training and experience required to achieve space superiority.”

New space force initiatives

Saltzman also announced two new initiatives during this year’s AFA Warfare Symposium. First, he announced a new officer training course, which will be a 12-month program designed to give new officers a solid foundation in all aspects of space power. He also announced the creation of “Space Futures Command,” which will maintain the U.S.’s technical advantage by envisioning and planning for the future force needed to win wars in space.

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