The Department of the Air Force marked a key milestone in its ongoing modernization and requirements reform efforts April 1, 2026, by implementing a long-planned restructure of the Strategy, Design and Requirements directorate (A5/7).
By consolidating the core functions of Integrated Capabilities Command (Provisional) directly into Headquarters Air Force, rather than establishing a separate major command, the Air Force streamlines capability development with Force Design refinement and Requirements for force modernization.
A restructured A5/7, as announced by Secretary of the Air Force Troy Meink in February 2026, strengthens the Air Force's ability to develop capabilities closely aligned with operational requirements and force design concepts. The transformed directorate now functions as a single, enterprise-level organization with the authority and proximity to drive faster, more cohesive decision-making across the modernization portfolio.
"By embedding these functions within the Air Staff, we are better positioned to connect strategy to requirements and resourcing, accelerating the delivery of combat power to the warfighter," said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach.
A central element of the restructure is the creation of a Chief Modernization Officer, who will lead enterprise-wide synchronization through four core mission areas:
- Force design
- Mission integration and mission threads
- Capability development and requirements
- Modernization investment prioritization
Consolidating these responsibilities reduces organizational seams, eliminates duplication and strengthens coordination with key stakeholders across the enterprise, ensuring that Airmen are equipped with the capabilities needed to succeed in the future.
Throughout the transition, planners from both A5/7 and ICC(P) played a critical role in shaping functions and maintaining continuity of operations, reflecting the Air Force's commitment to readiness.
This integration directly supports the Department's broader acquisition transformation and requirements reform efforts, streamlining the path from concept to combat capability. By tightly aligning force design, requirements and resourcing decisions, the Air Force enhances its responsiveness to emerging threats, maximizes operational effectiveness and ensures every investment in airpower delivers maximum lethality.
"The transformation of our organization reflects a deliberate shift toward a more integrated modernization enterprise - one that ensures the capabilities developed today are informed by force design, resourced effectively and delivered at the pace required for future conflict," Maj. Gen. Christopher J. Niemi, Military Deputy, Deputy Chief of Staff, Air Force Futures.
