In a continued push to make the average airman a spokesman for the Air Force, Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne and Chief of Staff Gen. Michael Moseley recently convened a one-day summit to forge a strategic communication blueprint that would provide the tools to spread the Air Force message. Moseley said, “Our major challenge is a lack of awareness of what the Air Force does.” He also said of USAF operations, “We make it look easy; it’s not easy.” Noteworthy also is that a panel of journalists at the summit urged Air Force leaders to talk more openly and frequently with the press. Peter Spiegel of the Los Angeles Times, said: “I don’t think advocating for the Air Force is speaking against the other services. It’s a disservice if you don’t tell the story.”
The Air Force has embraced new technical approaches like open mission systems and rapid software updates for cutting-edge aircraft like the B-21 and Collaborative Combat Aircraft. Increasingly, though, the service is also working to apply these to its older, “legacy” aircraft, officials said this week.