The Air Force has already achieved great synergies by integrating its active duty and reserve components more closely. But Air Force Secretary Michael Donley said Thursday at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando that he wants more of this. “We need to build on these accomplishments by putting some brainpower against Total Force Integration, part 2,” he said. This is just one of the ways in which the Air Force’s leadership is trying to mitigate the impact of resource constraints on the service’s ability to execute its mission most effectively and efficiently.
The new defense reconciliation bill includes $7.2 billion for Air Force and Navy aviation accounts, almost half of which will buy more F-15EXs. While electronic warfare, drones, connectivity and airlift all get attention, the F-35 was conspicuously absent from the package, with no explanation given.