U
S Air Forces in Europe expects to reactivate 17th Air Force, the air component of the fledgling US Africa Command, on USAF’s anniversary this Sept. 18, says Gen. Roger A. Brady, who has led USAFE since January. AFRICOM is expected to become fully operational Oct. 1. The numbered air force command staff will be working with an air operations center dedicated to Africa-related missions and support of the new command, Brady said in an interview March 18 (see below). The exact location for these entities is in final coordination but has not been announced as details are worked out with the host-nation. Roughly 95 airmen will be needed to staff 17th Air Force headquarters and another 190 to run the AOC, he said. USAFE is reconstituting 17th Air Force while simultaneously making final manpower cuts as part of the Air Force’s overall drawdown, Brady said. The command is losing roughly 3,500 positions. (For more from Brady on USAFE read Expanding While Contracting)
Space Force’s Top Guardians Share Their Stories
Feb. 27, 2026
Winners of the Space Force’s fourth annual, service-wide Polaris Awards had the chance to discuss the actions that led to their awards from the main stage here at AFA’s Warfare Symposium on Feb. 24, in a panel discussion moderated by Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna.