The Department of the Air Force has announced a surprising reversal, largely abandoning a sweeping organizational overhaul initiated under the Biden administration. The decision, coming just months after the initiative was paused, signals a major strategic reorientation, though a handful of key elements from the original plan will still be retained.
The Scrapped Vision: What Won’t Come to Fruition
Under new leadership, the „Reoptimizing for Great Power Competition” plan has undergone drastic changes. Among the major initiatives that have been „terminated” are:
- A „reorientation” of Air Combat Command.
- The establishment of a new Airman Development Command, which would have absorbed the existing Air Education and Training Command.
- The formation of an Integrated Capabilities Command, set to craft operational requirements.
Furthermore, the Air Force will no longer stand up a dedicated program assessment and evaluation office, opting instead to place this function within the existing office of studies and analysis. Three new centers — one for Air Force Material Command information dominance, a second for Air Force nuclear systems, and a third for air dominance — will also not be realized, having been „terminated in favor of more effective sustainment and support approaches.” Organizations like Air Forces Central and Air Forces Northern will remain as numbered air forces subordinate to Air Combat Command, rather than being moved out from under that command as the reoptimization dictated. The service will also forgo a plan to establish new Air Base Wings.
Operational Continuity: Key Elements That Remain
However, not all reoptimization ideas have been cast aside. The Air Force will continue to carry out large-scale exercises designed to test the mettle of airmen deployed in challenging environments like the Indo-Pacific. The service will additionally stick to hiring warrant officers for cyber and information technology in an effort to beef up technical prowess among its ranks, and will keep smaller offices, such as one focused on integrated capabilities.
Airmen should also expect no or limited notice inspections to continue, as well as receiving training outside their specialty under a concept known as „Multi-Capable Airmen.” Certain revamps to the Space Force were also part of the reoptimization plan, though the Air Force’s press release largely does not address changes specific to the Space Force.
A New Philosophy: From Competition to Absolute Victory
The reoptimization plan, billed by Biden officials like former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall as necessary to counter China, had already been largely on life support under the Trump administration. The proposed changes reportedly ruffled feathers within the service and are said to have contributed to the ousting of former Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. In September, new Air Force Secretary Troy Meink was unequivocal in expressing his stance on the strategic reforms pursued by Kendall.
„I think a lot of the ideas that have been floated around, regardless of where they came from, are important, right? I take a little bit different approach to that,” Meink told reporters then. „I’ll be honest, I’m not a big believer in the competition side of the house,” he continued, an apparent reference to the full name of „Reoptimizing for Great Power Competition.” Instead, Meink stated, „we need to be able to win, period.”
Continuous Adaptation: The Air Force Aims for Evolving Supremacy
In announcing the death of reoptimization, Meink and Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach acknowledged that although the service is not changing as drastically as previously planned, it still had to keep up with the times.
„As our adversaries and the strategic environment continue to evolve, our approach to ensuring a credible and ready force must also adjust,” Meink and Wilsbach said in a memo to commanders outlining the reversal of reoptimization initiatives. „Air superiority is not guaranteed. Through flexibility and clear-eyed assessment, our Air Force will continue to fly, fix, and fight now and into the future.”
