Prompted by Rep. Walter Jones (R-N.C.) to explain what is meant by the forthcoming “Air Guard reset,” Lt. Gen. Craig McKinley, ANG director, noted that “it’s a term we’ve never used before in the Air National Guard.” He went on to explain that the Air Guard is in the midst of a “radical transformation” based on the Air Force need to restructure and downsize. Consequently, the Air Guard must look for new missions to replace “missions that have sunset and gone away,” said McKinley. At the same time, he added, ANG decided to rebalance its wings, some of which “had grown at the expense of other states,” and “fix the books” to ensure all remaining programs were “adequately funded.” McKinley concluded, “So you put all those factors together—that is what we call our reset.”
Air Force Academy Leaders Ousted in Shake Up
Feb. 6, 2026
The U.S. Air Force Academy is getting a leadership refresh after a tumultuous year, with Superintendent Lt. Gen. Tony Bauernfeind and Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Gavin Marks both set to retire this year and Col. James Valpiani set to come on as the new Dean of the Faculty.

