Transforming the force - Brief Article

Airman, Jan, 2002

The Air Force continues as the world's premier air and space force -- heavily relied upon to project the nation's presence as needed around the globe.

However, challenges lay ahead in many areas -- the future offers no assurance from a successful past.

Technological advances have played a vital role in force modernization for many years and will continue to be needed to maintain an advantage over adversaries in the future. The force will have to adapt to new threats, using new advances to help meet those challenges head-on.

"Our greatest challenge remains the requirement to advance new capabilities while maintaining the robust readiness required to meet day-to-day war fighter requirements," Chief of Staff Gen. John P. Jumper has said.

He added, "It is imperative we develop our global strike task force, a kick-down-the-door force that will assure access and aerospace dominance for all our joint forces."

Modernization and readiness certainly are keys to projecting national goals. And the Air Force will continue to research and use technological advances to help make a strong presence in global missions a reality.

"We can't live with the procurement holiday in airplanes that has existed for the last eight years, where we've just had insufficient purchase of airplanes. Our planes age increasingly," Secretary of the Air Force James G. Roche said.

Modernization programs such as the F-22, Joint Strike Fighter, and the airborne laser are a few of the systems crucial to maintaining the edge.

Also important is providing all Air Force people with the most technologically advanced and capable tools. Officers, enlisted and civilians in the total force deserve no less. An overall better quality of life, on and off the job, for those members will boost recruiting and retention of some of the brightest people in military service.

In this issue of "The Book," we've spotlighted modernization and readiness. Turn the pages for messages from Air Force leaders and information on aircraft, bases, satellites, force statistics - and more.