The Air Force on Thursday released its plan to implement the force structure changes mandated by Congress in the Fiscal 2013 defense authorization act. The legislation directed the Air Force to reduce its force structure by 122 aircraft and approximately 6,100 military billets across the Active Duty component, 65 aircraft and some 1,400 military billets from the Air National Guard, and 57 aircraft from the Air Force Reserve, according to the service’s March 28 release. This includes completing actions approved in previous years, states the release. Included in the 12-page implementation plan is a state-by-state description of the changes for each Air Force base and the associated timeline. “Our Air Force continues efforts to maximize the strength of our Total Force, and we are pleased with the progress that is being made on this front,” said Air Force Secretary Michael Donley in the release. “This implementation plan illustrates the Air Force’s continued commitment to transparency as it completes the force structure requirements directed and authorized by the [legislation],” he added. (See also Defense Authorization Conference Report Concluded and Air Force Announces Intratheater Airlift Decisions.)
US Space Command Should Always Be Led by a Guardian
Sept. 12, 2026
General Stephen Whiting took command of U.S. Space Command in January 2024, and if customary three-year tenures hold, his tour would end in January 2027. The question now before the President and Senate is who should follow him? Whoever they choose, it has to be a Guardian—and so should every successor…
