May 12, 1953

May 12, 1953
Secretary of Defense Charles E. Wilson reveals that projected Air Force strength has been revised downward to 120 wings, instead of the 143 previously planned.

Related

How Vandenberg’s Range Is Scaling to Meet Launch Demand

April 10, 2026
In the last five years, the annual launch rate at the Space Force’s West Coast range has surged from a handful of missions to 66 in 2025. Now, Vandenberg Space Force Base in California expects to support 150 launches in the next five years and upwards of 200 by 2036.

USAFA Names New Commandant of Cadets as Leadership Shakeup Continues

April 10, 2026
The U.S. Air Force Academy took another step toward emerging from a senior leader shakeup this week with the selection of a new commandant of cadets—though it is still unclear who will be the Academy’s next superintendent with the impending retirement of Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind.

Air Force May Miss Historic Budget Boom With Cautious Proposals, Expert Fears

April 9, 2026
The Pentagon’s proposed budget for the Air Force in fiscal 2027 would include billions of dollars in additional spending on advanced next-generation fighters, trainer aircraft, hypersonic missiles and more. But an expert close to Air Force issues said the service’s asks are paltry compared to the massive $1.5 trillion topline…

New Wargame Assessed USAF Force Mixes for a China Fight

April 9, 2026
Based on its current modernization trajectory, the U.S. Air Force would not be able to repel a Chinese invasion of Taiwan in 2035 or launch strategic attacks in the ensuing conflict, according to analysis of a new unclassified wargame.