Spain appointed as the new head of the Air Combat Command

Spain appointed as the new head of the Air Combat Command

Rolling with the Changes at Air Combat Command

It's about to get shaken up at the Air Combat Command (ACC), folks! Lt. Gen. Adrian L. Spain, the Air Force's current Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, has been tapped as the next big boss of ACC. This blockbuster news was announced on June 18.

If confirmed, Spain would take over from Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach, who's calling it quits. As ACC commander, Spain would command over 150,000 personnel and 1,000 aircraft from ACC headquarters at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia.

Meanwhile, Case A. Cunningham, head honcho at U.S. Alaska Command, has been nominated to replace Spain in his current role.

Spain has been driving the Air Force's plan to overhaul combat deployments worldwide. Under his leadership, the service has evolved from the old "crowd-sourced" commands to air task forces and, starting in 2022, deployable combat wings. The goal is to create more skilled, cohesive teams that rotate into foreign assignments with greater predictability than in the past decade and a half.

Spain spoke candidly to House lawmakers last month, stating, "America's Air Force stands ready and able to defend the homeland, ensure a robust nuclear deterrent, and project power around the world to deter and win as the nation requires. Today's airmen will do so with the oldest airplanes, the smallest force, and with fewer flying hours than at any point in our history. Airmen have and always will get the job done. But today, they do so at elevated risk."

ACC, which is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping most of the service's air, cyber, and electronic warfare forces, is expected to take on a leadership role in measuring and ensuring the readiness of combat forces across the Air Force. Challenges await Spain as he inherits decades-old equipment and prepares to integrate next-generation weapons like the F-47 fighter, unmanned collaborative combat aircraft, and more.

"The sooner we get the older aircraft off our books and off our flight lines and into new capability, the better off for the Air Force," Spain told lawmakers in May.

A fighter pilot with over 2,150 flight hours across more than a dozen airframes, including over 200 in F-15s and F-22s, Spain became the Air Force A-3 in December 2023. Before that, he held several positions at U.S. military commands around the globe, including stints at U.S. European Command, U.S. Northern Command, U.S. Air Forces in Europe-Air Force Africa, and the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing out of Al Dhafra Air Base in the United Arab Emirates.

Spain's departure from the Pentagon will be filled by Cunningham, a pilot who's flown with the famed Thunderbirds aerial demonstration team, commanded an expeditionary reconnaissance wing in Afghanistan, and worked at the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Cunningham has also led a key drone wing at Creech Air Force Base, Nevada, and an air wing in Japan. While in ACC and with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, Cunningham held staff positions.

The Congressional Record noted Spain's nomination for a fourth star on June 17, but they didn't specify which position he'd hold. Both Spain's and Cunningham's appointments require Senate confirmation.

Up next, ACC will keep the nation secure and ready to take on any challenges the world throws its way, all while working tirelessly to achieve next-level warfighting capabilities. Strap in, folks, because it's going to be one wild ride.

ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS:

• ACC operates a diverse fleet of aircraft, including fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, battle-management, and electronic-combat planes, among others.
• Command, control, communications, intelligence systems, and global information operations are crucial to ACC's mission.
• ACC plays a vital role in maintaining and enhancing the Air Force's combat readiness across the globe.
• Lt. Gen. Adrian L. Spain's duties as ACC commander will include guiding the command toward optimizing human warfighter performance.

1. Lt. Gen. Adrian L. Spain, set to lead the Air Combat Command (ACC), will command over 150,000 personnel and 1,000 aircraft from ACC headquarters, a role that comes with overseeing various warfare elements, such as fighter, bomber, reconnaissance, and electronic-combat planes.
2. As ACC commander, Spain's responsibilities involve ensuring the Air Force's defense and maintaining combat readiness, which will require integrating next-generation weapons like the F-47 fighter and unmanned collaborative combat aircraft into existing military forces.
3. In the Pentagon, the topic of finance is paramount, as Spain emphasized the need for replacing older aircraft with new capabilities to better the Air Force's position. This focus on finance is crucial when considering the integration of advanced weapons and technology.
4. Spain's key discussions with House lawmakers centered on the Air Force's readiness and the challenges faced, such as operating with the oldest airplanes, the smallest force, and fewer flying hours than ever before. These issues will continue to be at the forefront as Spain takes on leadership at ACC.
5. Case A. Cunningham, nominated to replace Spain in his current role, has extensive experience including the command of an expeditionary reconnaissance wing in Afghanistan and leadership in various defense-related organizations like the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). Such diverse expertise will prove valuable as ACC strives to achieve next-level warfighting capabilities.

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