Overview

• Air Force Secretary Troy Meink said he expects a new chief of staff to be in place by the time Gen. David Allvin retires.
• Allvin announced in August that he will retire on or about Nov. 1, roughly halfway through his four-year term, and will remain until a replacement is confirmed.
• The vice chief position has been vacant since February when President Donald Trump fired Gen. Jim Slife, and Gen. Thomas Bussiere’s July nomination for that role was reportedly withdrawn.
• Meink declined to predict the timing of a chief of staff nomination, noting the process must move through the administration as the Senate faces a limited schedule before November and a possible shutdown.
• Meink said decisions on the Air Force’s Reoptimization for Great Power Competition initiative will be announced in the next few months, with elements such as an Integrated Capabilities Command still pending.