CSAF brings ‘case for change’ message to Hanscom AFB > Edwards Air Force Base > AFMC News

HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. – Air Force Chief of Staff General David Allvin, since the beginning of his tenure, has focused on his “Arguments for change“message on the optimization of the Air Force for Great Power Competition.

A general call at Hanscom Air Force Base, Massachusetts, on May 8 was no different. He emphasized that it is not practical to wait until you are comfortable to incorporate what is necessary to adapt in a time of consequences.

“I believe what we do matters more than any other moment in my career,” Allvin said. “I want to spread the message as much as possible. We can’t change course until we’re on course, and you can’t stay on course until you move.

The last GPC took place during the Cold War, and changes made since then to meet the challenges of different strategic environments have resulted in the fragmented nature of the current force. Back then, Allvin says, roles were more clearly defined.

The pace of change is now occurring at breakneck speed, which Allvin says will force Airmen to stay on tiptoe to maintain their advantage.

The Department of the Air Force’s reoptimization initiative, publicly announced in FEBRUARY, is designed to align the force to more effectively address evolving threats. The “case for change” emphasizes the need to unify planning and operations.

Allvin put it all into context in four main areas – power projection, people development, readiness and capability development – ​​to evolve into “the Air Force of tomorrow.”

He said power projection and production readiness are areas where changes are expected to be visible over the next two years.

“Power generation as a holistic unit is something we need to get back to,” Allvin said. “We have to train like wings, pick it up and say, ‘This is what it will look like.’ We need to reorient our muscle memory to achieve this.

People development, for example, became more regionalized and skill-specific during the 1990s. That course, Allvin said, should be modified so that all Airmen have the same tools.

“Force development has been more fragmented,” he said. “There have been a large number of functional managers, and spreading information among a large number of managers will cause confusion.”

“We need to make sure they are somewhat standardized; a commander will be responsible for overseeing the standardization and development of tools.

The Air Force Materiel Command, of which Hanscom AFB is a part, will play a key role in capability development.

As part of his visit, Allvin met with Hanscom AFB program leaders for an overview presentation highlighting their successes, challenges and how they are adapting to support GPC. He also participated in a roundtable discussion with the facility’s key state, academic and innovation partners. The discussion focused on how Hanscom leaders are leveraging partnership opportunities throughout Massachusetts to help meet mission needs, develop Airmen and achieve GPC goals.

Allvin emphasized that change is difficult, but failure to embrace it will result in serious consequences.

“When a major event shakes up this world, we will ask ourselves: ‘Have we tried to make this change?’ It’s something I want to think about,” he said. “We need to look at it, take risks and prepare for the future. My mission is to take a look and see if this is something you want to do.