AFA’s Strategic Advocacy Objectives

1. ENSURE COMBAT READINESS IN AIR, SPACE, AND CYBERSPACE

Fully fund readiness accounts to ensure Department of the Air Force personnel are the world’s most ready, most capable, and most effective Air & Space Forces, and that they have the instruction, training hours, spare parts, weapons, and fuel and other logistics support systems to meet all aspects of the National Defense Strategy.

2. DEFINE AND ARTICULATE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE TO EXECUTE THE NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY

Make clear the force size, systems, and weapons required to execute the nation’s defense strategy in the air, in space, and in cyberspace, and ensure joint warfighting requirements established by the Combatant Commands are unconstrained by budget restrictions.

3. RECAPITALIZE AND MODERNIZE THE AIR AND SPACE FORCES

Today’s Air Force is the smallest and oldest it has ever been. Our nascent Space Force lacks the scale to ensure continuous operations in the face of growing threats. The nation must invest in these two branches of the Department of the Air Force to ensure their modernization and resilience under attack. To do so, investment must end 30 years of underfunding relative to the Departments of the Army and Navy and ensure investment commensurate with the requirements to ensure air and space superiority. 

4. INVEST IN AND DEVELOP ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES TO ENSURE U.S. AIR AND SPACE RESILIENCE AND SUPERIORITY IN THE FUTURE

The United States must invest in new weapons, systems, and capabilities to deter and, when necessary, defeat adversaries that threaten the interests of the United States and its allies. We must likewise continue to develop and field the most promising advanced technologies in pursuit of air and space superiority and the technological advantage and overmatch necessary to deter war.

5. INVEST IN AND SUPPORT OUR PEOPLE, OUR MOST VALUABLE ASSET

Support Airmen, Guardians, and their families, recognizing their unique contributions to U.S. National security; treat retirees and veterans with the dignity and respect their service and sacrifices deserve; build the skilled and talented civilian workforce needed to support our warfighters in all their endeavors through public and STEM education and core scientific research programs.