Other countries have figured out that the combat edge of the Air Force is as much in its training as its equipment; maybe more, Keys asserted. As a result, countries “that are not our allies…are starting to train like us.” His point was that it’s important not to scrimp on the training, he said, but ACC was forced to do just that last year, when it had to cut flying hours due to the run-up in fuel costs. The money was later added to make up the shortfall, but in the meantime, training was deferred, “and we lost combat capability.”
The Air Force wants to “own and run” more of its air bases, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach said Nov. 6, in what could be a major potential revamp the military’s joint base program. Speaking at the Airlift/Tanker Association’s 2026 Symposium, Wilsbach said he and the…