Continuous Advocacy
Advocating for Air & Space Power
At the core of the Air & Space Forces Association’s mission is a simple but powerful goal: to promote dominant U.S. Air and Space Forces as the cornerstone of a strong national defense.
The D.W. Steele Sr. Memorial Chapter proudly supports this mission by engaging with community leaders, educators, and policymakers to strengthen understanding of aerospace power and national security. Across the nation, AFA is widely respected in Congress for its work to inform and influence legislation that impacts our Airmen and Guardians.
Today, our Air and Space Forces face increasing global challenges even as the Department of the Air Force operates with fewer resources and aging equipment. To ensure our continued readiness and deterrence, the United States must invest in both advanced technologies and the capacity to sustain long-term operations.
Through advocacy, education, and community partnership, the D.W. Steele Chapter stands alongside AFA in supporting the people, programs, and policies that keep America’s Air and Space Forces strong.
| To learn more, visit the main AFA website here |
AFA’s Top Legislative Priorities
1. Increased Resources for the Space Force
AFA is calling for a dramatic increase of resources and manpower for the U.S. Space Force to enable it to meet and counter competitors’ concerning advances in a critical warfighting domain. Specifically, AFA is asking Congress to double the Space Force’s total budget by 2029, adding an additional $30 billion and an additional 3,790 billets spread across six current and five future mission areas. Read More →
2. Fully Fund the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA)
Less than 15 percent of the U.S. Air Force’s current fighters are stealth aircraft—a relatively small number compared to the People’s Republic of China, which is producing its fifth-generation J-20 fighters in large numbers, fielding integrated air-defense systems, and pursuing long-range strike capabilities. So how does the United States turn the tables against this production juggernaut? By quickly developing and producing, in mass numbers, an uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).
AFA recommends the House Armed Services Committee (HASC) authorize $9 billion in funding to develop and deliver 1,000 CCA by the end of Fiscal 2029. Read More →
3. Combat Airpower Modernization and Sustainment
The U.S. Air Force’s fleet is older and smaller than at any point in history. The average age of our aircraft is nearly 30 years old. The Air Force is divesting more aircraft than it’s procuring—a metastasizing threat to our readiness and lethality.
AFA is asking Congress to maximize the procurement of new fighters by purchasing 72 F-35As and 36 F-15EXs during its consideration of the Fiscal 2026 National Defense Authorization bill. AFA is also pushing to increase sustainment spending by $658 million to enable the Air Force to modernize existing aircraft. Read More →
4. Acquisition Reform
China has spent years aggressively modernizing its military capabilities with a stated goal of being able to invade Taiwan by 2027. The United States can longer afford to punt modernization. Yet our military’s acquisition process is causing vital weapons systems to be delayed by years, if not decades. The DOD’s acquisition process must be reformed. Read More →
Content courtesy of the Air & Space Forces Association Website.