Oct. 4, 2024 AFGSC activates provisional 95th Wing at Offutt AFB In its full operational state, the new wing’s focus will provide combatant commanders with assured command and control (C2) over assigned forces through global command, control, and communication (C3) capabilities.
Oct. 3, 2024 DAF announces seven candidate locations for KC-46A Pegasus MOB 7 The Department of the Air Force has selected seven bases as candidate locations to host the KC-46A Pegasus Main Operating Base 7.
Sept. 25, 2024 Air Combat Command activates 3 Air Task Force units ACC activated three Air Task Force units marking the next step the Air Force is taking toward Combat Wings as units of action to present to combatant commands.
Sept. 20, 2024 DoD leaders discuss the future of Air Force nuclear deterrent systems Senior leaders discuss strategic deterrence during a time of Great Power Competition.
Sept. 16, 2024 DAF adapting, modernizing in today’s warfighting environment DAF senior leaders focused on how the Air Force and Space Force must capitalize and leverage acceptable risk in future planning, adapt to the resourcing and risks present in today’s dynamic environment.
Sept. 16, 2024 Air Force activates provisional Integrated Capabilities Command In provisional status, ICC (P) will immediately begin leading Air Force modernization prioritization efforts across several key investment areas, while continuing to develop the framework for the permanent ICC.
Sept. 11, 2024 National Robot Rodeo ropes in emerging EOD technologies With over 25 industry partners in attendance, the goal of this year’s rodeo was to put technologies and prototypes into the hands of bomb experts in the earlier stages of development to test their capabilities, identify issues and evaluate equipment that could make its way to the field.
Sept. 9, 2024 Air Force Test Pilot School begins transformation for Great Power Competition The Air Force Test Pilot School is undergoing a major transformation to better prepare Airmen and Guardians for the challenges of modern warfare in an era of Great Power Competition.
Sept. 4, 2024 USecAF, DAF senior leaders, congressional staff delegation visit Malmstrom AFB Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton, DAF senior leaders and a Congressional staff delegation visited Malmstrom AFB to better understand the 341st Missile Wing’s current mission and operations and to emphasize the strategic importance of ongoing modernization efforts.
Aug. 28, 2024 70 Years of Flight: The C-130's legacy, future Robins AFB held a C-130 70th anniversary celebration highlighting the aircraft’s history as one of the most versatile and battle-tested aircraft in the Air Force fleet.
Aug. 27, 2024 20AF completes first NAF-wide Remote Code Change Twentieth Air Force completed the first-ever NAF-wide Remote Code Change eliminating the need for physical installations by maintenance teams at each launch facility.
Aug. 16, 2024 Sentinel: The history of the DAF modernizing the backbone of America’s national security The U.S. Air Force is replacing the 54-year-old LGM-30G Minuteman III ICBM weapon system with the LGM-35A Sentinel ICBM. Upgrading to Sentinel ICBMs ensures the land-based leg of America's Nuclear Triad remains safe, secure & effective.
Aug. 9, 2024 Around the Air Force: SECAF Talks Modernization, DAF Priorities, New Rules for Dogs Entering the US In this week’s look around the Air Force, SecAF Frank Kendall highlights modernization and innovation, USecAF Melissa Dalton addresses global challenges, and new rules are in effect for people returning from overseas to the U.S. with dogs.
July 31, 2024 AFWERX, MTSI evaluate electric vertical takeoff, landing aircraft for military applications Experts from AFWERX have been working with Beavercreek, Ohio-based defense contractor Modern Technology Solutions Inc., to evaluate Pivotal’s BlackFly electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
July 30, 2024 Kendall delivers LCID 2024 keynote, urges 'go faster' Kendall discussed the DAF's approach to modernization, the importance of staying ahead of the curve with technology and innovation and the need to reorient the military to address Great Power Competition.
July 30, 2024 Dalton emphasizes DAF priorities, need to modernize, on-time budgets Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton spoke at the Brookings Institution reasserting the Air Force and Space Force’s priorities to meet global challenges.
July 26, 2024 DAF senior leaders reinforce importance of allies, partners Department of the Air Force leaders reinforced the importance of interoperability in the air and space domains during the Global Air and Space Chiefs' Conference, Royal International Air Tattoo and Farnborough International Air Show.
July 19, 2024 AF Week in Photos This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
July 19, 2024 AFGSC’s local business partnerships boost DAF technological capabilities, modernization efforts The partnership between AFGSC and local small businesses have secured contracts totaling $240 million of outside AFGSC funding for 70 modernization technologies from U.S. small businesses, with an additional $74.3 million in pending contracts.
July 15, 2024 USecAF, CMSAF visit F.E. Warren, emphasize essential role of ground-based nuclear force Under Secretary of the Air Force Melissa Dalton, Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi, and several other senior leaders visited F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyoming, July 1-2.
June 10, 2024 Department of the Air Force launches NIPRGPT Department of the Air Force chief information officer and the Air Force Research Laboratory is accelerating initiatives to provide the Air Force and Space Force with the ability to responsibly experiment with Generative AI.
May 8, 2024 350th SWW reactivates two historic EW squadrons To meet the Air Force’s growing demand for electromagnetic spectrum effects, the 350th Spectrum Warfare Wing recently reactivated two squadrons at Eglin Air Force Base.
May 7, 2024 AFIMSC tools deliver data-driven solutions across DAF The Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center’s Innovation and Improvement Division is transforming the way Airmen do business by integrating cutting-edge data-prep and data-visualization tools across the Department of the Air Force.
April 29, 2024 Top Air Force leaders visit JB Charleston, highlight urgency of reoptimization in ‘time of consequence’ Joint Base Charleston welcomed Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin, his wife Mrs. Gina Allvin, and Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David Flosi April 26.
April 26, 2024 Tyndall AFB answers CSAF’s Call for Change amidst Great Power Competition While visiting, Allvin and Flosi voiced a deep appreciation for the hard work and resilience of the Airmen, families and local civic leaders of Team Tyndall, who have truly embraced the “Installation of the Future” performance expectations.
April 17, 2024 Kendall, Allvin, Saltzman continue modernization drumbeat, need for Congress to approve budgets on time Department of the Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall and the top-ranking military leaders from the Air Force and Space Force told a House committee April 17 that adequately defending the nation against modern-day adversaries demands the services modernize quickly.
April 17, 2024 Modernized aviation curriculum takes off at Defense Language Institute English Language Center DLIELC performs a unique mission teaching English to international partners, U.S. service members and civilian personnel. This is the catalyst for continued improvement and modernization of the Specialized English Training aviation curricula.
April 9, 2024 Kendall, Allvin, Saltzman urge modernization while warning Senate of delayed budgets Kendall, Allvin and Saltzman’s official purpose during the hearing was to explain the department’s $217.5 billion budget request for the 2025 fiscal year which begins Oct. 1.
March 11, 2024 DAF releases 2025 budget proposal The $217.5 billion budget request is designed to meet DAF goals for modernization, readiness, addressing key capability gaps and managing risk.
March 7, 2024 Warfield ANGB transitions to cyber mission Replacing the aging A-10 Thunderbolt IIs at the 175th Fighter Wing with a cyber mission will create a natural synergy between cyber assets at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and the 175th Cyberspace Operations Group already operating out of Warfield ANGB.
Feb. 27, 2024 Senior leaders visit 90th MW, focus on mission modernization The visit provided an opportunity to gain more in-depth knowledge of how Airmen execute the nuclear deterrence mission at missile alert facilities and launch facilities and what changes are needed with ICBM modernization efforts.
Feb. 23, 2024 Around the Air Force: Airmen and Guardians in the Fight, Cyber and IT Warrant Officers This week's look Around the Air Force highlights the Department's senior enlisted advisors plans to empower and equip Airmen and Guardians to prepare for Great Power Competition, and the Air Force reintroducing the rank of warrant officer for information technology and cyber career fields.
Feb. 14, 2024 Air Force to re-introduce warrant officer rank, other major changes The Air Force plans to introduce two dozen changes specifically designed to prepare the service for strategic power challenges from competitors like China and Russia.
Jan. 19, 2024 AFGSC selected for $18M research allocation The AFWERX office allocated up to $18 million for AFGSC across the four solicitations and could add another $7 million if the two pending applications are selected.
Dec. 12, 2023 First Officer Training School-Victory graduates take flight OTS-V provides a competency-based course designed to develop warrior-minded leaders of character committed to the Air Force oath, values and creed.
Nov. 8, 2023 Secretary Kendall attends EADS CBC2 success, modernization milestone The event marked a pivotal milestone in the service’s modernization of tactical command and control capabilities as part of the Advanced Battle Management System portfolio of efforts.
Oct. 20, 2023 Around the Air Force: NATO Exercise Toxic Trip 23, Energy Action Month, Clean Geothermal Energy In this week’s look around the Air Force, Toxic Trip 23 brings together allies and partners in a CBRN exercise, Energy Action Month advances new technology for the joint fight and geothermal prototype facilities deliver clean energy to harness the Earth’s natural heat and power installations.
Oct. 17, 2023 C-130H avionics goes digital with major modernization upgrade The update, called Avionics Modernization Program Increment 2, is a significant improvement to the almost 60-year-old aircraft’s avionics and navigation systems.
Sept. 25, 2023 Air Force to field new body armor carrier systems for aircrew Aircrew operating across 20 different rotor, tilt-wing, and fixed-wing aircraft will receive new body armor carrier systems as part of an effort to update and replace older models.
Sept. 18, 2023 DAF leaders emphasize modernization, readiness at AFA Conference amid great power competition The Department of the Air Force’s top officials provided a series of keynote speeches and panel discussions at the Air and Space Forces Association 2023 Air, Space and Cyber Conference Sept. 11-13.
Sept. 14, 2023 4 Air National Guard locations chosen for next C-130H to C-130J upgrades The Department of the Air Force selected 103rd Airlift Wing, 120th Airlift Wing, 133rd Airlift Wing, and 182nd Airlift Wing, as the preferred locations to receive C-130J Super Hercules to replace aging C-130Hs, pending the outcome of environmental assessments.
Sept. 5, 2023 SECURE platform enhances security enterprise capabilities A new tool called the Security Enterprise Communication and User Reporting Environment, or SECURE, aims to streamline operations, reduce data isolation and redundancy, and optimize resource usage across the security enterprise.
Sept. 2, 2023 Malmstrom AFB pilots, flight engineers attend first Grey Wolf Type 1 training The Type 1 crew began their 32-day training in the classroom together, the pilots and flight engineers separated at the 10-day mark to focus on their specific job training.
Aug. 24, 2023 New platform IGNITEs defense innovation AFWERX has launched IGNITE, a platform where defense users can search for and easily interact with thousands of small businesses that have secured previous Department of the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research or Small Business Technology Transfer awards.
July 27, 2023 SecAF visits 90th MW Airmen, serves as rodeo grand marshal Kendall visited F.E. Warren to connect with Airmen of the 90th Missile Wing and hear about the quality of life there, speak with city leaders about local challenges and successes in the community, and to learn about the intercontinental ballistic missile mission and modernization efforts.
July 26, 2023 Connected battlespace modernizes fight in Indo-Pacific Utah Air National Guard’s 151st Air Refueling Wing, working with the Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve Test Center, sent their modified KC-135 Stratotanker to Kadena Air Base for use in the Western Pacific during Northern Edge 23-2.
July 16, 2023 Project Arc seeks innovators to solve DAF challenges The program is looking for Airmen and Guardians from all occupations who are obsessed with tech, have a curiosity to tinker and want to solve problems.
June 4, 2023 Healy testifies before defense subcommittee Chief of the Air Force Reserve Lt. Gen. John P. Healy and other senior DoD leaders from the Guard and Reserve testify before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Defense in regards to the fiscal year 2024 budget.
May 21, 2023 Mountain Home AFB leans forward on MEDIC-X training for future fight MEDIC-X training will be offered across the Air Force July 1, but several bases like Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, have already started training their medical personnel to deliver care in the future fight.
May 19, 2023 Around the Air Force: Defense Innovation, Defender 23, Prepping the Line In this week’s look around the Air Force, SecAF talks about the future of innovation and collaboration with partners and allies, the Air Force supports Defender 23, and new supervisors have an additional resource for taking care of Airmen. (Hosted by Staff Sgt. Milton Hamilton)
May 16, 2023 Cadet team conducts robotics research The cadet-driven research focuses on gathering data and developing solutions to integrate a Ghost Robotics Vision 60 robot into base defense.
May 13, 2023 Technical training students gain learning connectivity through expanded Wi-Fi project In an effort to advance learning opportunities for Airmen, and enable training and education from any device, AETC officials have expanded a project installing commercial wireless internet across the command and into all training dormitories.
April 29, 2023 Air Force modernizes nuclear security with advanced JLTV vehicle Security Forces Airmen from the 90th Missile Security Forces Squadron conducted the first operational mission with the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle supporting launch facility maintenance near Harrisburg, Nebraska, April 24.
April 18, 2023 DAF selects next locations for newest fighters The Department of the Air Force selected the next bases to receive two of its newest fighters.
April 11, 2023 CSAF visits 179th Airlift Wing ahead of historic mission conversion The visit was an opportunity for senior leadership to meet with Airmen and discuss the historic mission conversion of the unit into the ANG's first cyberspace wing.
April 10, 2023 F-22A Raptor pilots test next-gen helmet 46th Test Squadron engineers facilitate second round of developmental testing since AF announced helmet last year.
April 9, 2023 Upgraded F-16 rejoins 8th FW An upgraded F-16 Fighting Falcon returned to 8th Fighter Wing operations after AFLCMC’s Post Block Integration Team provided the aircraft with the first wave of 22 modifications designed to improve lethality to meet the needs of current and future operations.
March 16, 2023 Commander’s Accelerated Initiatives team maintains ‘pulse’ on change across AFMC With a core headquarters team of 13 augmented by a network of more than 250 change agents across the command, CDX achieves its mission by leveraging the ideas and innovations driven by Airmen and civilians across the enterprise.
March 13, 2023 Department of the Air Force 2024 budget proposal invests in modernization, transformation The $259.3 billion proposal that Congress will now consider for the fiscal year beginning Oct. 1 includes $185.1 billion for the Air Force and $30 billion for the Space Force.
March 8, 2023 Spark Tank 2023 finalists take center stage at AFA Warfare Symposium Six Spark Tank finalist teams presented their ideas at the Air and Space Forces Association 2023 Warfare Symposium.
March 8, 2023 AFGSC commander discusses mission, modernization at Warfare Symposium Gen. Thomas A. Bussiere, commander of Air Force Global Strike Command, spoke about the AFGSC mission at the 2023 Air and Space Forces Warfare Symposium.
March 7, 2023 Kendall outlines clear path for modernizing Air, Space Forces & confronting peer competitors Department of the Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall offered a report card March 7 during a major address at the 2023 Air and Space Forces Association Warfare Symposium.
March 1, 2023 Department of the Air Force updates policies, procedures to recruit for the future Throughout the upcoming months, a Barriers to Service Cross-Functional Team is examining existing policies and procedures to ensure they reflect the service members needed for the future.
Feb. 6, 2023 Air Force Recruiting Service relaunches Airforce.com as a Total Force recruiting destination The site builds upon the existing design and infrastructure of airforce.com while consolidating important information about joining the Air Force’s active component, Air National Guard, or Air Force Reserve into a single, integrated website
Dec. 30, 2022 Department of the Air Force unmasks academic degrees for major, lieutenant colonel promotion boards The change will apply to all eligible DAF officers and allow promotion board members to consider an officer’s acquisition of valued expertise as one of many whole person concept considerations.
Dec. 22, 2022 Readout of U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s travel to Latvia U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. traveled to Latvia Dec. 19-20 and met with Latvia’s Minister of Defense Inara Murniece, Chief of Defense Lt. Gen. Leonīds Kalniņš, and Air Force Commander Col. Viesturs Masulis.
Dec. 19, 2022 AFRL launches wearable biomolecular sensors program for DoD, transfers technology to Sensate Biosystems The Air Force Research Laboratory has partnered with the Nano Bio-Materials Consortium and Case Western Reserve University to create wearable sensors that measure biomarkers in Airmen and Guardians.
Dec. 3, 2022 New 'Spirit Realm’ B-2 Spirit software factory keeps fleet operational — enabling combat relevancy for years to come A new software factory using the Department of Defense reference design has pushed the aircraft’s evolution further forward.
Nov. 29, 2022 AETC commander announces rebalanced mission, vision focus The commander of AETC announced the command’s rebalanced mission, vision and lines of effort that will continue to accelerate change, while building the force necessary for the high-end fight.
Nov. 12, 2022 Missile wings conduct remote code change with ICU II The 90th, 91st and 341st Missile Wings have begun the process of converting their missile alert and launch facilities to ICU II, a system that allows for a remote code change – and will save the Air Force millions of dollars in resources and labor hours.
Nov. 3, 2022 AFSOC receives final AC-130J Air Force Special Operations command received its final AC-130J Ghostrider, which completes the command's transition from its legacy AC-130 variants.
Nov. 2, 2022 McConnell AFB completes KC-46 flight with limited crew The 22nd Air Refueling Wing flew a KC-46A Pegasus without a copilot to validate procedures for operating with a limited aircrew for certain potential high-end combat scenarios.
Oct. 27, 2022 386th AEW stands up satellite innovation cell The 386th Air Expeditionary Wing stood up Task Force 99.M, the first satellite innovation cell under U.S. Air Forces Central Command’s Task Force 99 at Ali Al Salem Air Base, Kuwait.
Oct. 6, 2022 DAF reaches DAF365 Enterprise Services migration milestone The Air Force Enterprise Information Services SharePoint Team has completed the final major migration milestone to the Microsoft Office 365 collaboration platform.
Oct. 4, 2022 36th EWS conceptualize Reclamation of Electronic Attack Pods program The 36th Electronic Warfare Squadron used their skills and ingenuity to conceptualize the Reclamation of Electronic Attack Pods program for ALQ-184 and ALQ-131 Electronic Attack Pods.
Aug. 2, 2022 Introducing the new 908th AW MVPs Following the July 2022 Unit Training Assembly, the 908th Airlift Wing at Maxwell Air Force Base announced its new mission, vision and priorities.
July 28, 2022 CSAF visits Shaw AFB During the visit, Brown discussed modernization, innovation, and Airmen initiatives related to efforts in the strategic plan Accelerate Change or Lose and the associated Action Orders.
July 17, 2022 How drones will transform battlefield medicine, save lives The use of drones for future near-peer conflicts is starting to filter down into the operational forces as a potential solution in the near term.
July 12, 2022 Readout of US Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.’s travel to Germany Gen. CQ Brown, Jr. traveled to Germany to deepen the U.S. Air Force partnership with the German Air Force.
June 27, 2022 DAF seeking science research partnerships with HBCUs DAF is working with the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering to create the first University Affiliated Research Center led by a Historically Black College or University.
June 26, 2022 New BLOS capability on the horizon for B-52s, first IRIS air demo complete The Air Force has moved one step closer to equipping B-52s with a new capability called IRIS. The 49th Test and Evaluation Squadron executed the first air demonstration utilizing the BLOS communication system paired with an Iridium Certus terminal on a B-52 Stratofortress.
June 23, 2022 AESA radar launches F-16 into next generation of airpower The AESA reinforces the viability of the F-16 to execute its homeland defense mission while remaining ahead of near-peer threats.
May 27, 2022 Around the Air Force: Hypersonic Test, Alaska's F-35s, Barrett Portrait Unveiled In this week’s look around the Air Force, a successful launch of a hypersonic weapon off the California Coast, Eielson AFB, Alaska marks the completion of their F-35A fleet, and former SecAF Barbara Barrett is recognized for her accomplishments as her official portrait is unveiled at the Pentagon.
May 19, 2022 Eielson AFB celebrates F-35 beddown completion The ceremony marked the end of a two-year beddown process that yielded two operational fighter squadrons comprised of 54 permanently assigned, combat-coded F-35A aircraft.
May 16, 2022 25th SecAF portrait unveiled during ceremony at Pentagon The official portrait of former Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett, who also previously served as the U.S. ambassador to Finland, was unveiled in the Pentagon Auditorium, May 13, during a tribute to the stateswomen who led the Department of the Air Force from 2019 to 2021.
May 4, 2022 Jones swears in as Department of the Air Force financial management and comptroller lead Kristyn E. Jones was sworn in as Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Financial Management and Comptroller May 4, and will be responsible for managing a nearly $200 billion budget to modernize the Air and Space Forces.
April 18, 2022 ACC begins fielding tools to analyze, protect base EMS Electromagnetic radiation is constantly traveling at the speed of light with most of it being invisible to the naked eye. Now, with the use of new spectrum monitoring tools, Air Combat Command can track EM radiation from sources like radio and aircraft communication.
April 5, 2022 Air Force’s new intercontinental ballistic missile system has a name: Sentinel Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall approved the designation for the system that modernizes the ICBM leg of the Nation’s nuclear triad.
March 28, 2022 Department of the Air Force budget proposal focuses on transformation, modernization While transformation and modernization are needed in real time, the 2023 fiscal year proposal is designed to build momentum for additional transformation in future budgets.
March 17, 2022 Empowered Airmen from 109th AW modernize LC-130 for future fight Propulsion specialists with the 109th Airlift Wing assembled the first Air National Guard-built T56 3.5 turbo engine. The modification is part of an Air Force initiative to update C-130 aircraft.
March 10, 2022 Kendall, Brown, Raymond outline changes necessary to defend the nation, the need to go fast and succeed Speaking separately at an influential gathering two blocks from the White House March 9, the Department of the Air Force’s highest ranking civilian and military leaders offered emphatic variations on a similar theme – the need to modernize faster, think faster, and nurture the cultures needed to
March 9, 2022 Air University opens new Civilian Leadership Development School The Civilian Leadership Development School within the Ira C. Eaker Center for Leadership Development at Air University, is accelerating the focus on civilian-centric professional education across the Air Force.
March 4, 2022 AF Week in Photos This week's photos feature Airmen from around the globe involved in activities supporting expeditionary operations and defending America. This weekly feature showcases the men and women of the Air Force.
March 3, 2022 Kendall details ‘Seven Operational Imperatives’ & how they forge the Future Force Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall discussed how the Air and Space Forces must modernize to meet new, emerging threats and challenges by implementing the Department of the Air Force’s “seven operational imperatives.”
Feb. 26, 2022 Air Force Operational Energy has breakthrough year The year 2021 proved to be a pivotal one for Air Force Operational Energy as programs received unprecedented support – enabling many long-hoped-for initiatives to get the greenlight and progress to the next stage of development.
Jan. 19, 2022 Kendall Outlines ‘Operational Imperatives,’ Choices During Think Tank Appearance Kendall offered the assessment during a 45-minute “virtual fireside chat” sponsored by the Center for a New American Security or CNAS, a Washington-based think tank that is influential on questions of national security and defense policy.
Jan. 19, 2022 Agile Patriot grows AFMC leaders of tomorrow Air Force Materiel Command held its 2021 Agile Patriot professional development conference, Jan. 10-13, providing both mid-tier military and civilian Airmen with the tools and training to be successful leaders in the future. Airmen attended virtually via Microsoft Teams.
Jan. 19, 2022 Aerial Networks Summit provides roadmaps for JADC2, ABMS The Aerial Networks Division hosted general officers and members of the senior executive service for a summit aimed at developing aerial networking roadmaps to meet Advanced Battle Management System and Joint All-Domain Command and Control objectives.
Jan. 19, 2022 CSAF addresses warfighters during WEPTAC 2022 at Nellis AFB WEPTAC brings together hundreds of warfighters from joint and allied combat air forces to discuss current issues and to develop solutions for the joint employment of forces.
Jan. 12, 2022 Brown, Raymond warn of impacts to Air Force, Space Force if new budget is not approved Air Force and Space Force senior leaders addressed Continuing Resolution impacts on service readiness and modernization in an effort to seek approval on a new spending plan.