Today the US faces heightened potential for an enemy to engage nuclear deterrence in a conventional conflict, according to Professors Daryl Press, and Keir Lieber, speaking to attendees at AFA’s Air & Space Conference. With US success in past conventional engagements from Panama and the Persian Gulf, to Afghanistan, nuclear deterrence is becoming an increasingly rational calculation for embattled nuclear regimes intent on staying in power. In light of current nuclear proliferation, “we’re already in the world in which the next conventional war the [Air Force] might be asked to fight, might already be the war of trying to limit nuclear escalation against a nuclear weapons state,” asserted Press.
Fly, Fix, Defend: Wilsbach Aims for a Readier Air Force
July 31, 2026
When Gen. Kenneth S. Wilsbach became Chief of Staff of the Air Force in November 2025, he coined a simple motto: “Fly and Fix”—so you can fight if necessary. In the nine months since, Airmen have been flying, fixing, and fighting—a lot.