Gen. Charles Brown Jr., chief of staff at the U.S. Air Force, said at a National Press Club event Friday that the service branch must determine the right mix of force, aircraft and technology necessary to confront projected national and global security challenges in 2030.
Brown told an audience of reporters, editors and industry representatives that reshaping the force is necessary to ensure USAF will gain an advantage in contested environments, maintain its credibility with allies and help defend national interests.
He noted that the branch should start its transition to the future force design as China continues to pursue military modernization and economic reform efforts for the country’s global power ambition.
“I really believe, without change, we are at risk of losing,” Brown said.
“We can keep what we have today but that’s not going to match up against the threat we have in the future.”
The USAF chief of staff said the service is analyzing the distribution and interaction of its personnel, systems and planes.