Posted on Sep 19, 2016
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NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. (AFNS) -- Nearly three years into her tenure as the Air Force’s top leader, Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James reaffirmed that people continue to be her top priority during her State of the Air Force address at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 19, in National Harbor.
James also addressed key issues such as reversing downsizing efforts, modernization of aircraft and space domain efforts, and how a long-term continuing resolution would be detrimental to the Air Force.
Reflecting on her time as the Air Force’s leader, James said, “There have been no issues more important to me over the last 2 ½ years than people issues.”
Taking office in December 2013, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were dwindling, and personnel reductions continued, which “on paper,” James said made sense.
However, James said that as she traveled the world interacting with Airmen, it seemed that reductions were not the answer. Personnel shortages were putting a strain on Airmen. Global security issues began emerging, and Airmen were needed. Russia illegally invaded and annexed Crimea, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant continued to terrorize Syria and Iraq, more airpower was needed in the Pacific, and a presence was needed to protect the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
With the support of the president, Capitol Hill and defense leaders, by the end of the year the Air Force’s active-duty end strength is expected to reach 317,000.
James also addressed key issues such as reversing downsizing efforts, modernization of aircraft and space domain efforts, and how a long-term continuing resolution would be detrimental to the Air Force.
Reflecting on her time as the Air Force’s leader, James said, “There have been no issues more important to me over the last 2 ½ years than people issues.”
Taking office in December 2013, the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq were dwindling, and personnel reductions continued, which “on paper,” James said made sense.
However, James said that as she traveled the world interacting with Airmen, it seemed that reductions were not the answer. Personnel shortages were putting a strain on Airmen. Global security issues began emerging, and Airmen were needed. Russia illegally invaded and annexed Crimea, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant continued to terrorize Syria and Iraq, more airpower was needed in the Pacific, and a presence was needed to protect the freedom of navigation in the South China Sea.
With the support of the president, Capitol Hill and defense leaders, by the end of the year the Air Force’s active-duty end strength is expected to reach 317,000.
State of the AF: Active-duty force on the rise, space will be more pro
Posted from af.mil
Airmen
People
Posted 8 y ago
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Thanks for giving us an overview of Air Force Secretary Deborah Lee James stated priorities for the USAF TSgt Joe C.. It is interesting that she stated " “There have been no issues more important to me over the last 2 ½ years than people issues.”
I expect she is talking about personnel issues since she mentions that shortages of personnel put a strain on those remaining who need to pick up the slack. Draw downs are always challenging and the USAF is not structured to fight GWOT on a broad scale. The conventional USAF can be used to attack concentrations of enemy fighters and supporting infrastructure in places we are engaging openly such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
Since "most likely" ISIS has been taking a page from al-Qaeda's playbook and sending assets throughout the world as operatives and sleeper cells for some time, once the wars end in SW Asia the conventional air force will have less active targets for the operational assets [strategic assets will still have their same roles of course]
Your area and the rest of SOCOM's assets will take on a more significant role as the conventional forces are pulled away. It is not that SOCOM assets have been idle it is that most likely the volume of activity was lower than the conventional activity even though the covert activity is more widely spread :-)
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Robert Hawks SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright
I expect she is talking about personnel issues since she mentions that shortages of personnel put a strain on those remaining who need to pick up the slack. Draw downs are always challenging and the USAF is not structured to fight GWOT on a broad scale. The conventional USAF can be used to attack concentrations of enemy fighters and supporting infrastructure in places we are engaging openly such as Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria.
Since "most likely" ISIS has been taking a page from al-Qaeda's playbook and sending assets throughout the world as operatives and sleeper cells for some time, once the wars end in SW Asia the conventional air force will have less active targets for the operational assets [strategic assets will still have their same roles of course]
Your area and the rest of SOCOM's assets will take on a more significant role as the conventional forces are pulled away. It is not that SOCOM assets have been idle it is that most likely the volume of activity was lower than the conventional activity even though the covert activity is more widely spread :-)
COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Capt Seid Waddell CW5 (Join to see) CW5 Charlie Poulton SGM David W. Carr LOM, DMSM MP SGT SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SFC William Farrell SSgt Robert Marx SSG James J. Palmer IV aka "JP4" SSgt (Join to see) SGT (Join to see) SGT John " Mac " McConnell SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT Forrest Stewart SGT Robert Hawks SPC (Join to see) SrA Christopher Wright
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It seem to be good news that the USAF Secretary "Deborah Lee James reaffirmed that people continue to be her top priority during her State of the Air Force address at the Air Force Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 19, in National Harbor."
The US Army equips people and the US Navy has manned vessels and aircraft with sailors with the USMC having a closer view to the armies about the relationship between Marines and their equipment.
Before Secretary James the USAF talked about manning aircraft, etc. more than having a personnel focus.
Hopefully this USAF trend will continue and be followed by consistent policy directives.
The US Army equips people and the US Navy has manned vessels and aircraft with sailors with the USMC having a closer view to the armies about the relationship between Marines and their equipment.
Before Secretary James the USAF talked about manning aircraft, etc. more than having a personnel focus.
Hopefully this USAF trend will continue and be followed by consistent policy directives.
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TSgt Joe C. its always good to get a solid update on the Air Force, I appreciate the read and share my friend.
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