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Changes at HQ AETC focus on Force Development Efforts

  • Published
  • Air Education and Training Command Public Affairs
Lt. Gen. Steve Kwast, commander of Air Education and Training Command, announced changes to Headquarters AETC and to 2nd and 19th Numbered Air Force organizations today, in order to refocus the headquarters on force development efforts.

This reorganization allows the headquarters staff to focus on broader force development responsibilities, ensuring policy and strategy are aligned within the command and across the entire Air Force developmental enterprise.

“AETC Airmen must become learning experts,” Kwast said. “The headquarters staff will change focus and transform from basic execution to innovation; from input measures to outcomes; from a hierarchical organizational and decision-making paradigm to a flatter organizational framework where decisions emerge from a robust sharing of information and are made at the lowest possible levels of the organization.”

The notable changes at the headquarters level include the creation of the following directorates: Headquarters AETC Directorate of Intelligence, Analysis and Innovation, (A2/9); Headquarters AETC Directorate of Operations and Communications, (A3/6); and Headquarters AETC Directorate of Plans, Programs and Requirements, (A5/8).

Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Stephen W. Wilson, approved AETC’s request to reorganize AETC, 2nd Air Force and 19th Air Force Dec. 13, 2018. The reorganization follows the Air Force chief of staff guidance to empower AETC and NAF commanders at all levels to develop the current and future Air Force required to keep the competitive advantage.

This change empowers the commanders of 2nd Air Force and 19th Air Force to lead and accomplish their operational technical and flying training missions.

The reorganization stems from comprehensive, bottom-up mission review of the major command and NAF headquarters staffs to ensure they are organized to support the evolving mission of AETC. Members of the review team examined AETC’s command and control processes and how AETC staff responds to the pace of today’s national security environment.