The Air Force will commit about $600 million across its Fiscal 2013-2017 future years defense program to realign certain missions across the Total Force and mitigate the effect of the service’s proposed force-structure changes. Specifically, the funding will help preserve 14 of 24 units identified for new missions and maintain an Air Force presence on seven of eight affected installations, while expanding the Air National Guard’s and Air Force Reserve’s participation in growing missions such as ISR, according to the service’s new white paper, issued on Feb. 3, detailing these plans. The funding also will preserve “an appropriate active and reserve component force mix,” it states. Briefing reporters on Feb. 3, Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said the service is “fully committed” to the Total Force and acknowledged “we can’t do what we do without the Guard and Reserve.” However, he said the changes are necessary to help the Defense Department absorb some $487 billion in budget cuts over the next 10 years. For the detailed Total Force re-missioning breakdown by fiscal year, click here. (See also Donley-Schwartz transcript.)
Now Is the Time to Boost CCA Investment
June 3, 2026
The Air Force wants about $1 billion to move Collaborative Combat Aircraft into production in fiscal 2027 and accelerate the introduction of this game-changing technology. Congress should support that objective.