Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne’s Paper, “Air Force Strategy: Sovereign Options for Securing Global U.S. Air Force photo
Stability and Prosperity,” is a strategic plan about how the Air Force of today will tackle the challenges of tomorrow. The United States stands today at a strategic crossroads characterized by rapid growth of the global economy, diffusion of technology, new and increasingly complex economic and international relationships and potential competition for resources and influence.
Staff Sgt. Grant Crandel checks an MQ-1 Predator before the unmanned aircraft takes off on an area familiarization flight from Ali Base, Iraq. Test flights allow Predator aircrews, who fly the aircraft from a stateside base, and ground crews to learn the local conditions and thoroughly check their equipment. Sergeant Crandel deployed from Creech Air Force Base, Nev.
In response to current and emerging threats, the Air Force has implemented a strategy based on providing United States policy makers with sovereign options for the nation’s defense.
photo by Staff Sgt. Austin M. May
photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Snyder
Numerous actors, ranging from rising major powers to global terrorist groups, have the capability and desire to disrupt the existing system to achieve their own ends.
Master Sgt. Shani Prewitt laughs with children in the village of Nagad, Djibouti, after a concert. She’s a vocalist with U.S. Air Forces Central’s band “Live Round.” The band performed morale and community outreach concerts and took part in other nation-building activities.
photo by Airman 1st Class Jonathan Steffen
photo by Airman 1st Class Christian Thomas
Given this spectrum of threats, the United States must field an Air Force capable of assuring its allies, dissuading and deterring potential adversaries and, if necessary, defeating those who choose to become enemies.
A Delta II rocket lifts off from Space Launch Complex 17A at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. The rocket carried an Air Force Global Positioning System satellite. It was the first Delta II launched from the cape in 2008.
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Maj. Tim Hart, Capt. Curtis Knighten and Capt. James Garza conduct air surveillance and command and control operations from an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control aircraft. The three are with the 960th Airborne Air Control Squadron, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla.