Air Combat Command has launched a sweeping end-to-end review of its training activities to better align them with current warfighting priorities, Gen. William Fraser, Air Combat Command boss, said Feb. 19 at AFA’s Air Warfare Symposium in Orlando. “I want to make sure that we are training the way that we are going to be fighting,” he told reporters after his address, expanding on comments made in December. He said the review will assess which training activities require a higher degree of proficiency for today’s fight and where “measured risk” could be taken to reduce training demands—de-emphasizing some secondary training—now placed on frequently deploying units. And, ACC wants to rethink the best mix of actual flight training vs. simulator and virtual training, making such non-flying activities count toward proficiency requirements. Fraser noted, too, that more virtual training would help reduce the strain on legacy airframes.
Air Force Academy Leaders Ousted in Shake Up
Feb. 6, 2026
The U.S. Air Force Academy is getting a leadership refresh after a tumultuous year, with Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks both set to retire this year and Col. James Valpiani set to come on as the new Dean of the Faculty.

