A senior U.S. Air Force official said this week that getting timely appropriations from Congress is vital to ongoing efforts to create a modernized and cohesive Air Force and Space Force that can effectively address evolving global challenges and strengthen national security.
Air Force Under Secretary Melissa Dalton reaffirmed the priorities of the Air Force and Space Force during a discussion on July 29 at the Brookings Institution where she suggested that the department’s “cohesive approach has been key to successfully reshaping policies, practices, and hardware to confront emerging challenges.”
“From the organize, train, and equip perspective, it really is remarkable how much progress has been made in the last couple of years to drive those changes through … although there’s still considerable work to come,” Dalton said. “We have to get the people portion right in order to meet any of our operational objectives. That really is job No. 1.”
Dalton pointed out that the Air Force is refining and expanding its focus on agile combat employment, emphasizing more nimble, self-sufficient units instead of large, stand-alone bases. She also underscored the importance of space in this effort and how these elements are being integrated.
Announced in February by Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, the Department’s ongoing initiative – dubbed ‘Reoptimizing for Great Power Competition’ – aims to reorganize its services with a focus on seven operational imperatives. These initiatives are designed to enhance the Air Force and Space Force’s capabilities to confront emerging challenges, such as the People’s Republic of China (PRC) pacing challenge.
Dalton emphasized the department’s need to continue advancing and modernizing capabilities for Airmen and Guardians, noting that the shift in focus toward Great Power Competition is already gaining momentum.
“I have been struck by sense of urgency the Department of the Air Force is moving out on addressing the People’s Republic of China pacing challenge which of course is called for in the National Defense Strategy. Airmen and Guardians alike understand the PRC pacing challenge is a today problem, not a future problem.”
However, the department’s ongoing efforts are dependent on Congress approving regular budget appropriations on time. Dalton explained that having budgets approved and in place by the Oct. 1 start of each fiscal year is critical.
That deadline has seldom been met in recent years, resulting in the department – and much of the Federal government – operating under outdated budgets.
According to Dalton, this can hinder or obstruct the acquisition of new hardware and policies necessary for effectively defending the nation. Those delays, she said, “cede the time to be able to keep pace with the PRC challenge that cannot be bought back.”
“We are faced with a choice of having an obsolete force that is not going to be able to be competitive with PRC for the long haul. To be clear, we’re ready to deter and prevail in today’s security environment but have to increase our resourcing in order to maintain our competitive advantage,” she said.
