AF leaders meet at CORONA Fall

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COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (AFPN) --  Air Force senior leaders have just concluded the two-day CORONA Fall conference at the United States Air Force Academy. The goal of this CORONA summit was to ensure planning for tomorrow is not compromised by concentrating on today's fight.

"Our current mission focus is waging and winning the long war," said Gen. T. Michael Moseley, Air Force chief of staff. "However, we can't take our eyes off the strategic playing field. We can't wait until tomorrow to think about tomorrow."

General Moseley talked of the importance of Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power in shaping the future of the Air Force.

"Global Vigilance, Global Reach and Global Power...that's our nation's asymmetric advantage and something no one else can do. We must ensure that we can provide our nation those capabilities now and in the future," General Moseley added.

CORONA conferences are held three times a year and allow the Secretary of the Air Force, the Chief of Staff, and senior Air Force civilian and military leadership to come together for frank, open discussions that will lead the Air Force into tomorrow.

Discussions and briefings at CORONA Fall centered on the three themes of mission, people, and tomorrow.

Dr. John Hamre, former Deputy Secretary of Defense, provided a strategic perspective on Air Force organization for future challenges. He highlighted that the changing world requires an inter-agency, full spectrum response for national security.

Lt. Gen. Patrick Paimbault of the French Air Force shared lessons learned from the French Air Force in Africa to assist in standing up Africa Command. The general emphasized that tactical air mobility is one of the most important elements for any operation in the huge expanse of Africa.

Gen. Michael Hayden, director of the CIA, briefed leaders on recent developments in the intelligence community. Ms. Sue C. Payton, assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, discussed current acquisition programs and emphasized that the focus on meeting both today's urgent needs as well as the needs of tomorrow.

CORONA Fall also featured several Airmen who shared their experiences on the front lines. Master Sgt. John Melito spoke about Airmen's efforts in building the Iraqi Air Force and the success of the first 58 Iraqi Airmen graduating from the Air Force indoctrination training.

Gen. Duncan J. McNabb, the Air Force vice chief of staff, concluded the conference by saying, "Our Nation is facing a complex and dangerous world with strategic challenges that require foresight and planning -- not just reaction. During this conference we focused on how we can prevent future wars while still winning the war we're in. We have to do both to fulfill our duty to this great nation." 

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