Department of the Air Force senior leaders highlighted modernization and integration challenges during the Air and Space Force Association's Air, Space and Cyber Conference in National Harbor, Maryland, Sept. 16.
The panel included Andrew Hunter, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics; Frank Calvelli, assistant secretary of the Air Force for Space Acquisition and Integration; Vice Chief of Space Operations Gen. Michael Guetlein; and Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Jim Slife.
During the panel, the DAF senior leaders focused on how the Air Force and Space Force must capitalize and leverage acceptable risk in future planning, adapt to the resourcing and risks present in today's dynamic environment, and how today's warfighting environment requires integration of the joint forces at all levels to be effective.
"It's not just about how much resources we have," Hunter said. He explained that regardless of limited resources, it's important to recognize how the services structure and employ them as effectively as possible.
Hunter continued by highlighting how the department is tying programs and platforms that were previously undervalued in previous resource approaches and the way forward towards addressing today's challenges. Hunter also highlighted the recently activated provisional Integrated Capability Command that will help bring attention to the department's resourcing approach and restructuring efforts.
With this restructuring impact at the head of the conversation, senior leaders discussed how the capabilities the Air Force and Space Force project will have to integrate alongside joint forces - from the start.
"It'll never be the Space Force alone," Guetlein said. "It will never be the Air Force alone … We are all going to have to fight in a very integrated fashion. That is a completely different way of acquiring our systems, [and] we have to acquire our capabilities from the start - understanding that they are a part of a larger enterprise."
Echoing Guetlein's answer, Slife said the Air Force is undergoing a warfighting cultural shift that is focused on growing beyond the employment of forces and acquisition tactics of years past to a more integrated form focused on the joint force.
"The necessity for us to operate as an integrated Joint Force is greater than it's ever been," Slife said. "If we can get [mission over function employment] right, this will be an enduring source of competitive advantage for the United States military."
Slife added how the Air Force is optimizing the way the service functions by diving into what balances acceptable risk compared to unacceptable risk and how these risks manifest for Airmen in the field.
Additionally, the Space Force's modernization efforts to adapt to today's environment, and if necessary, deter and win in a contested scenario, are closely tied with the integral relationship the service shares with industry partners. Calvelli said there is a continued need to develop and reinforce the shared interests and capabilities between the service and industry.
Calvelli closed the panel by talking about what the Space Force needs from industry partners. He explained that to better procure resources and assets, the service needs realistic and executable costs when contracts are bid on; and how the industry partner should have the skills necessary to meet the requirement.
