Hayden said the intelligence problem manifests itself at a lower level as well. Some Air Force intelligence officers are grumbling about a lack of advancement opportunities, with a perception that no one can get beyond 0-6. This has an element of whining to it, the four-star said, but the complaint also holds a grain of truth. The Air Force should therefore foster a cross-flow of intel officers through other commands. Hayden said he benefited from a tour as Chief of Staff for US Forces Korea, and, similarly, Air Intelligence Agency chief Maj. Gen. John C. Koziol was most recently a wing commander for ACC. These are the types of assignments that better integrate intelligence with the operational military.
The Air Force budget would grow to $234 billion while Space Force spending would shrink to $26 billion under the White House's yearly ask.