On February 14, 2024, U.S. Air Force Secretary Kendall and Air Force Chief of Staff Brown announced a series of major reforms in Washington, D.C., aimed at "reshaping, refocusing, and reoptimizing" the U.S. Air Force and Space Force. These reform measures cover four areas: personnel training, generation preparation, military deployment, and capability development, with a total of 24 decisions, including short-term and long-term plans. Kendall and Brown said these reforms are designed to respond to the strategic environment of the "era of great power competition" and to enhance the competitiveness and deterrence of the U.S. Air Force and Space Force.
In terms of personnel training, the US Air Force will integrate various functions to provide a common and mission-centered development and training path for Air Force personnel and train defenders who meet the needs of high-tech operations. The U.S. Air Force will also redesign career paths, setting different promotion criteria and evaluation mechanisms for different professional areas and responsibilities to motivate Air Force personnel to pursue excellence and innovation. The U.S. Air Force will also develop "mission-ready air personnel" that will focus on training skills required for wartime combat missions rather than peacetime management missions.
In terms of generation and readiness, the US Air Force will strengthen large-scale exercises and mission-focused training to enhance the combat effectiveness and adaptability of the Air Force. In 2024, the U.S. Air Force will hold the Global Eagle exercise, a global, multi-domain, multi-dimensional, and multi-party exercise designed to test the U.S. Air Force's global strike capabilities and joint combat capabilities. In 2024, the U.S. Air Force will also hold the Space Flag exercise, an exercise specifically aimed at space operations to test the space control and defense capabilities of the U.S. Space Force.
February** Dynamic Incentive Program
In terms of military deployment, the US Air Force will build a mission-oriented, flexible, and sustainable military deployment system to adapt to different regions and situations. The U.S. Air Force will establish an Air Force Combat Wing, a new type of operational unit consisting of different platforms, ** and personnel, capable of rapid combination and deployment according to mission requirements. The US Air Force will also reform the organizational structure of the Space Force, formally designate the Space Force combat squadron as an operational unit, fully activate the Space Force service units, accelerate the implementation of the "Space Force Generation" model, and improve the Space Force's combat readiness level and response speed.
In terms of capability development, the US Air Force will speed up the promotion of some key technologies and advanced projects to enhance the advanced and superior capabilities of the US Air Force and Space Force.