Questions a
bout whether the Air Force should buy more than the 191 C-17 airlifters currently authorized, considering the plan to increase ground forces by 92,000 soldiers and marines, were met with assurances that the Pentagon would review last year’s study that pegged the total buy at 180 aircraft. However, Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England argued at the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee Wednesday that the C-17s to be bought by NATO would “ease the pressure somewhat” on USAF C-17s. He conceded that there are “problems” because of “resistance of a few of the countries in NATO.” England went on to say, “I do have a level of confidence … because it’s so important in NATO.”
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.