As I start my tenure of Chief of Air Force
I want to take this opportunity to provide you with my commander’s intent
and outline my priorities.
For many decades Air Force has generated and delivered air and space power
with sufficient strategic warning-time to adjust to emerging security challenges.
Throughout this period, Australia engaged in conflict well outside our immediate region,
in a capacity and operational tempo appropriate to our established force structure.
Today, we are engaged in increased strategic competition in our region,
with reduced warning-time to conflict.
The pace and scale of military modernisation within our region has exceeded our expectations.
the development and militarisation of advanced technologies and cyber capabilities
has eroded our capability advantage adding to the complexities of the strategic environment.
This means that we must prepare for military operations in the Indo-Pacific now,
and expedite our efforts to preserve military advantage.
Our current Air Force Strategy or AFSTRAT guides the development of Air and Space Power
as part of the integrated force’s contribution to national power.
AFSTRAT connects our strategy and planning to broader Defence and national strategic guidance.
It also ensures the generation and employment of air and space power remains aligned
and integrated with the joint force,
across Government and with our allies and partners in pursuit of our national interests.
I am committed to AFSTRAT, and I intend to pursue it with urgency.
Air Force’s mission is to prepare air and space power
in order to enable the joint force in peace and war.
To achieve our mission Air Force must be ready, resilient, and resourceful - these are my priorities.
Our preparation must be purposeful and consistent,
such that we are ready to contribute credible air and space power.
We will focus our effort in the Indo-Pacific, with capability to operate further afield if required.
We will strengthen our relationships with allies and partners for strategic effect.
Our readiness demands tactical excellence in high end warfighting,
integrated at all levels throughout the joint force and with our key allies and partners.
Readiness requires us to focus on delivering capability today
while simultaneously investing in our capability for the future force;
it cannot be one at the expense of the other - we must manage strategic risk over time.
Our people are central to our capability.
I am committed to growing and transforming our workforce to meet the challenges of the future.
Air Force will exemplify One Defence values and behaviours
to create an inclusive and respectful environment where all Australians can thrive.
Air Force must understand our exposure to critical vulnerabilities
and develop plans to compete and fight with degraded systems in contested environments.
We will strengthen our resilience in force design,
by prioritising and where possible accelerating our investment in key capabilities;
We will strengthen our resilience in force generation
through operational planning and tactics development;
and we will strengthen our resilience in Force employment
to enhance our survivability and capacity to fight through the dislocations of all domain conflict.
Air Force will also contribute to our whole-of government efforts
To reduce our impact on the environment. And manage the consequences of climate change.
We will seek operational efficiencies and consider new technologies such as green energy
and synthetic fuels
in collaboration with our allies and partners, to minimise our footprint on the environment.
This will require a deliberate, risk-based approach that is climate conscious,
but does not compromise our ability to deliver air and space power.
When facing challenges, we need to find all available solutions,
In some cases, we will pursue strategies that expedite planned upgrades to our capability
or exploit alternate innovative technical solutions.
At other times, our resourcefulness will require interim,
risk-informed operational and tactical workarounds.
The challenges ahead are integrated, complex and significant,
but I am confident we can meet them together.
Our Air Force has a proud history of overcoming extraordinary challenges
and delivering air and space power for the defence of Australia.
This has demanded considerable courage, dedication and skill
as it will again from all of us.
I am proud to serve as your Chief.
Per Ardua ad Astra.