Senior leaders outline the future force

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — More than 60 senior leaders convened here June 10-12 for the Air Force’s semiannual Corona summit, approving a slate of decisions that touch basic training, base defense, artificial intelligence, and the future alignment of key battlefield Airmen communities.

“I have traveled to our installations worldwide, meeting face-to-face with the Airmen who execute our mission every day,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach. “They share their real, day-to-day challenges with me, and Corona is where we turn that feedback into strategic action – making decisions to dismantle barriers, modernize our capabilities, and build a better Air Force from the bottom up.”

The forum—formalized by Gen. Curtis LeMay in 1961 as a venue for policy development, force readiness and future force initiatives—brought together Major Command leaders, Headquarters Air Force officials, command chiefs and a range of general officers from operational and functional directorates.

Under a modernization effort dubbed BMT Next, the Air Force plans a comprehensive basic training curriculum update by 2027 to align new Airmen more closely with the broader mission. The revised program will place heavier emphasis on Airmindedness, military professionalism and Air Force Core Values, pairing those foundations with follow-on specialty training. The service also intends to build a dedicated Air Force Training Range at the BMT compound to center training around the air base as the primary power-projection platform.

To address evolving threats to installations, leaders approved the creation of Point Defense Flights at select bases. The specialized units will initially draw personnel from multiple career fields while the Air Force develops a new specialty code to institutionalize the mission.

On technology, Wilsbach announced forthcoming Headquarters Air Force guidance to standardize AI integration across the enterprise, with a priority on automating repetitive administrative tasks to free Airmen for mission work. The summit also highlighted ongoing efforts by the Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force’s task force focused on AI innovation.

Senior leaders decided against combining the Guardian Angel (GA) and Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) weapon systems, affirming each community’s distinct identity and core competencies. GA will continue to specialize in personnel recovery, while TACP maintains its roles in precision strike, distributed command and control, and integrating airpower with ground combat. The two may train together for interoperability, with Major Commands setting standards. TACP was designated the lead weapon system for One-Way Attack missions for employment by the Joint Forces Air Component Commander.

The Air Force also moved to tighten the use of the term Air Force Special Warfare (AFSPECWAR), noting it is not a mission or a weapon system. Leaders said it remains valuable for recruiting, accessions, initial skills training and shared warrior ethos, while operational communications should reference specific weapon systems to ensure clarity in command relationships, authorities and combat employment.

In line with congressional mandates, the service’s comprehensive financial audit continues. Wilsbach directed all Major Command commanders to deliver bi-monthly progress updates and to keep audit readiness integrated into daily operations.

Other priorities discussed included aircraft and personnel readiness; streamlining logistics-informed command and control; talent management, mission-focused assignments and development opportunities; renewed emphasis on camouflage, concealment and decoys; and improving the speed of information and tactical decision-making through a Digital Fires Report.

“This summit was a resounding success because we didn’t just talk about the future – we made concrete decisions to shape it,” Wilsbach said. “Whether we are modernizing our training, fortifying our defenses to guarantee readiness, or leveraging AI to return valuable time to our Airmen and their families, we are building a force postured to win.”