Air Education and Training Command’s 2014 strategic plan, released on Sept. 23, outlines the command’s top four priorities. They are: enhancing mission effectiveness through the appropriate recruiting, training, and education methods; supporting airmen and their families; ensuring a climate of professionalism and mutual respect by enforcing Air Force core values and the Airman’s Creed; and fostering resiliency through comprehensive airmen fitness. “Executing today’s mission is paramount; however, we must also prepare for future missions. We will realign the command headquarters over the next three years to focus on strategic planning, policy, resourcing, and oversight of our four mission areas,” wrote AETC Commander Gen. Robin Rand in the plan. “We will create AETC Flying Training and Technical Training Centers to execute their respective missions. Superb instructors and faculty are crucial to success.” (Read the strategic plan.)
U.S. munitions have been expended at a high rate during Operation Epic Fury against Iran, prompting concerns that the Pentagon is eating into weapons stockpiles it needs to deter threats around the world. Yet the newly released $1.5 trillion defense budget request was developed before the war against Iran and…