September 10, 2018
Discussion with Secretary of the Air Force, Dr. Heather Wilson
The Center for a New American Security (CNAS) hosted a discussion with Secretary of the Air Force, the Honorable Dr. Heather Wilson, on strategic competition, Air Force readiness and force structure challenges, and acquisition reform. The discussion, moderated by CNAS Senior Fellow Susanna V. Blume, touched on the how the Air Force will realize the National Defense Strategy and change to account for an era of renewed strategic competition with China and Russia.
Synopsis of Secretary Wilson’s Opening Remarks:
The United States now exists in an era of great power competition, as outlined in the National Defense Strategy. The Air Force needs to adjust to the return of great power competition by preparing for high-end fights. The Air Force’s FY2019 and FY2020 budgets have both been heavily influenced by the NDS. There is a need to reorganize how the Air Force trains, how it’s equipped, and how it’s structured to face new threats posed by adversaries like China and Russia.
To the Air Force, the squadron is the fundamental fighting unit and it is also the unit that needs to be built out further. The number of fighter squadrons has dropped dramatically since beginning of engagement in the Middle East 27 years ago. The squadron is the heart and fist of the Air Force, as it’s the unit that creates a physical effect. The question that needs to be answered regarding how to best implement the NDS is “what kind of fist, with how much of a punch” is needed? Answering this question will help create a plan to build the Air Force needed for future fights.
The full video is available online here.
More from CNAS
-
CNAS Insights
Defense / Indo-Pacific Security / Transatlantic Security / Middle East Security / Energy, Economics & Security
CNAS Insights | National Security Agenda in the New Congress: A 10-Item To-Do ListWhen Democratic majorities sweep into Congress in January, Washington will return to divided government. The prospect of stalemate will be real, with Democrats prone to opposi...
By Richard Fontaine
-
What's a Revolution in Military Affairs Good For?
Podcast
For decades, militaries have chased the next revolution in warfare. But what actually makes a revolution in military affairs revolutionary? Is there one happening now? Does it...
By Stacie Pettyjohn
-
U.S., Israel Elections Loom Over Iran War
Video
On Bloomberg This Weekend, Bloomberg Economics Defense Lead Becca Wasser and Bloomberg News Middle East correspondent Dan Williams examine how elections in the U.S. and Israel...
By Becca Wasser
-
Charting the New Nuclear Age
Reports
Executive Summary With the continued growth of China’s nuclear arsenal, the United States will likely face two nuclear peer threats in the coming years. The United States cann...
By Stacie Pettyjohn, Carlton Haelig & Natasha Lander Finch
