Next-gen air dominance and surprise new Air Force leadership: 2025 review
A look at some of the top stories that defined the air warfare beat this year.
Air Force (mostly) ditches Biden-era ‘reoptimization’
New leadership under the Trump administration has opted to kill key organizational changes sought by former Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall, leaving just a handful of initiatives intact.
Senate confirms Wilsbach as Air Force Chief
The former head of Air Combat Command will now lead the Air Force as its next top uniformed officer, following the surprise retirement of Gen. David Allvin.
Air Force reverses course on Integrated Capabilities Command
The decision creates a new Chief Modernization Officer, but deals a blow to a key initiative started under the Biden administration to change how the service sets requirements for buying weapon systems.
Air Force Global Strike chief Bussiere to retire
Lt. Gen. Stephen Davis is slated to succeed Gen. Thomas Bussiere as the head of Air Force Global Strike Command in a ceremony scheduled for Oct. 17.
Trump taps Wilsbach as next Air Force chief
Breaking Defense previously reported that former Air Combat Command chief Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach was a frontrunner to replace outgoing Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin.
Wilsbach expected to become next Air Force chief of staff: Sources
Former Air Combat Command head Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach had emerged as the frontrunner for the Air Force’s top uniformed job shortly after Gen. Dave Allvin announced his retirement in August.
Speeches by Meink, Allvin headline AFA day 1 [Video]
The Breaking Defense team walks you through the biggest news from day one of the conference.
AFA preview: Air Force leadership faces an uncertain future
Breaking Defense's Aaron Mehta and Michael Marrow walk you through what you need to know as the annual AFA conference kicks off.
EXCLUSIVE: Wilsbach, former ACC commander, in running to be next service chief, sources say
Three sources familiar with the discussions told Breaking Defense that Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach is a leading candidate to succeed Gen. David Allvin as the next Air Force chief of staff.
Air Force Chief Gen. David Allvin to retire in surprise move
Gen. David Allvin will step down "on or about Nov. 1," the Air Force announced today, but will remain in his post "until a replacement is confirmed."
Pentagon chiefs eye Ukraine’s surprise drone strike with anxiety – and envy
Service leaders worry about base defense, but Gen. David Allvin also asked, "Why don't we think about including that in our Air Force and doing like the Ukrainians do?”
Video: The Weekly Break Out Episode 18: An exclusive with Air Force Gen. David Allvin
Air Warfare Reporter Michael Marrow dives into his recent one-on-one with the senior Air Force leader.
EXCLUSIVE: Allvin says Air Force must grow, even at ‘expense’ of other services
In an interview with Breaking Defense, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin argues the Air Force is most apt for an Indo-Pacific fight relative to other services.