The Emerging Voices Program at The Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies and the International Security Policy Concentration at the School of International and Public Affairs present:

Advantage in Defense Strategic Competition:
How the U.S. Air and Space Force Embrace Diverse Talent, Tech

with The Honorable Gina Jones,
Under Secretary of the United States Air Force

Welcome by Keren Yarhi-Milo, Director, Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies

Hosted by Peter Clement, Senior Research Scholar, Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies

Moderated by COL Ricardo Turner, United States Army; United States Army War College Fellow, Arnold A. Saltzman Institute of War and Peace Studies

Event Description:

The Department of the Air Force, which includes the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, is focused on global strategic competition. For over 20 years, the U.S. military trained for asymmetric warfare and counter-terror operations; however, it is now faced with a very different threat from China and Russia. Sustaining America’s advantage in modern warfare against well-resourced, technically advanced competitors will require an integrated, whole-of-government effort. The Air Force and Space Force must leverage game-changing technology, while continuing to attract and retain talent as diverse as the opportunities and challenges facing the nation. At 40 years of age, Gina Jones was nominated by President Biden and unanimously confirmed by the United States Senate in July 2021 to be the 27th Under Secretary of the United States Air Force, the second highest-ranking civilian leader. A Filipina American, she is the first woman of color to become the Under Secretary of any military branch and the second member of the LGBTQ+ community. As the Under Secretary of the Air Force, she is responsible for the affairs of the Department of the Air Force, comprised of the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force, to include organizing, training, and equipping Air and Space Forces and for the welfare of approximately 697,000 active duty, Guard, Reserve and civilian Airmen and Guardians and their families serving around the world. As the Under Secretary, she oversees the Department’s annual budget of more than $205 billion and directs strategy and policy development, risk management, weapons acquisition, technology investments and human resource management across a global enterprise.