The Air Force’s plans for a new special operations wing at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., to replace retiring A-10s are moving forward—and changing.
Air
Last Hurrah for the Storied U-2 By John A. Tirpak A year away from its likely retirement—and 70 years to the day after the first U-2 flight—a two-seat version of the Dragon Lady from the 9th Reconnaissance Wing at Beale...
How the U.S. can counter China’s size and other advantages. Decades of force cuts and deferred modernization have left the U.S. Air Force unable to simultaneously deter nuclear attacks, defend the U.S. homeland, and defeat Chinese aggression at acceptable levels...
Thank You For Your Service I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as the 23rd Air Force Chief of Staff and I’m thankful for Secretary Meink, Secretary Hegseth and President Trump’s faith in me to lead our service. … More...
Spain Takes Charge at ACC By Chris Gordon Gen. Adrian L. Spain succeeded Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach Aug. 11, marking his ascension to the four-star ranks at one of the Air Force’s largest and most far-reaching commands. In a ceremony...
Allvin’s Retirement Casts Shadow on ‘Re-Optimization’ With his Aug. 18 announcement that he would retire this fall, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin ended months of speculation about his future and marked his tenure as among the shortest...
“Willie the Whip” revolutionized airlift transport. Bill Tunner was an airlift genius who was formative in shaping America’s worldwide power projection capability. Airlift may not always be glamorous, but it is usually essential in achieving the nation’s political objectives. ...
We love letters! Write to us at letters@afa.org. To be published, letters should be timely, relevant and concise. Include your name and location. Letters may be edited for space and the editors have final say on which are published. Rare...
Stealth was a gamble 50 years ago. It’s still a good bet. S tealth technology has given the U.S. military an air of near invincibility for the past 35 years. Overwhelmingly successful in the 1991 Gulf War, and heavily refined...

