Yolanda E. Williams

The Air University Strategic Plan outlines the institution's transformation to become the intellectual and leadership-development center of the Air Force, aiming to develop leaders, enrich minds, advance airpower, build relationships, and inspire service. It is structured around five strategic lines of operation: delivering developmental opportunities, conducting research and analysis to address challenges, improving integration and outreach, executing lessons-learned and doctrine programs, and building internal capability. The plan seeks to educate Airmen to think critically, act morally, and innovate rapidly, while connecting with communities and partners to address Air Force challenges.

Air University's Strategic Action Plan focuses on four key lines of effort: developing 21st Century Warfighters by enhancing their competencies, optimizing university structures and processes to improve force development delivery, modernizing the learning environment through updated physical and technological systems, and elevating the AU experience by fostering a culture that supports the workforce and their families. The plan aligns with the National Defense Strategy, National Military Strategy, and priorities at the Air Force and Air Education and Training Command levels.

The National Security Strategy focuses on maintaining a competitive edge over China, constraining Russia, and promoting a free, open, prosperous, and secure international order. It outlines investments in national power, building coalitions, and modernizing the military. The strategy addresses global challenges such as climate change, pandemics, food insecurity, and emphasizes shaping the rules of the road for technology, cybersecurity, and trade.

The 2023 Department of Defense Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Strategy addresses the pursuit, development, and use of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), accounting for priorities and approaches to integrated deterrence. It addresses the current and future security environment, including threats from China and Russia. The strategy outlines four priorities: defending the homeland from WMD attacks; deterring WMD use against the U.S. and its allies; enabling the Joint Force to prevail in a CBRN environment; and preventing new WMD threats. Six ways to implement these priorities are detailed, along with foundational and specific means, including intelligence, leadership, human capital, research and development, and an adaptive acquisition system. The strategy emphasizes cooperation with allies and partners and a whole-of-government approach.

The Air University Board of Visitors meeting involved discussions on various topics, including updates on Air Force/Air Education and Training Command policy impacts (Force Development Commander and Continuum of Learning), the Squadron Leadership Course, and the consolidation of functional courses within the Air Command and Staff College. Other key discussion points included updates on the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) standards, AU's compliance audit, quality enhancement plan, and education program review process. Financial, information technology, and communications strategies were also reviewed. Subcommittee reports from the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) and the Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) were presented and approved. The board reviewed the mission statement, fiscal stability, and institutional policies, and addressed board governance and membership. An assessment was conducted with the AU Commander and President.