2025 in review: Air Force
Defense One Staff | December 29, 2025
Air Force Industry Pentagon
Air Force leaders axe major China-focused organizational efforts
The service continues to unravel its “reoptimization for Great Power Competition” strategy.
December 2, 2025 | Thomas Novelly
Most of the Air Force’s biggest programs will now be overseen by a 4-star under the deputy SecDef
The centralization of the ICBM, B-21, F-47, and Air Force One programs appears at odds with the Pentagon’s professed acquisition approach, one expert said.
November 20, 2025 | Thomas Novelly
Congress supports bare minimum on Navy’s F/A-XX, while fully backing Air Force’s F-47
Appropriators and other lawmakers have pushed for the Navy’s next-gen fighter, but the latest NDAA offers only enough to keep the nascent program warm.
December 9, 2025 | Thomas Novelly
Nearly 300 days after purge, Pentagon taps new Air Force vice chief, JAG
Air Mobility commander nominated to be vice chief; Oklahoma Air National Guard commander to be top judge advocate general.
December 16, 2025 | Thomas Novelly
https://www.defenseone.com/policy/2025/12/2025-review-air-force/410392/?oref=d1-homepage-river
