The Air Force's most recent major weapon system acquisition is the KC-46A aerial refueler, which will replace the aging KC-135 Stratotanker and provide vital air-refueling capability. Air Force and Defense Department officials awarded an engineering and manufacturing development contract for the KC-46A to The Boeing Company on Feb. 24, 2011. (Courtesy Photo) Acquisition pros must be fiscal stewards, commander says Air Force Materiel Command Public Affairs 4/29/2011 - 4/28/2011 - WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio  -- WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio -- Emphasizing that America's number-one national security challenge may well be our fiscal health as a nation, the commander of Air Force Materiel Command opened the 2011 Defense Acquisition University Acquisition Insight Conference with a bracing observation. "We're on an unsustainable path," Gen. Donald Hoffman told the audience of Defense acquisition professionals April 26 at Dayton's Sinclair Community College. "Americans need to make individual and collective sacrifices to live within our means. DoD needs to play and Air Force Acquisition needs to play...if significant efficiencies aren't identified and wholly committed to, resources for modernization, readiness and facilities will not be available. "Many of these efficiencies will have to be found in the fastest growing element of our spending...the cost of personnel. Not unique to DoD, but the fully burdened cost of manpower is growing faster than our other spend lines. Don't just look at pay checks, but consider health care, education, retirement and the like," General Hoffman said. Initiatives over the last year in AFMC to advance the Acquisition Improvement Plan the Air Force launched in 2009 have been fruitful, General Hoffman noted. Expedited hiring of civilian employees in critical areas was accomplished. The process of establishing requirements for weapon systems and components was improved. Budget and financial discipline became more rigorous. The source-selection process improved and acquisition organizations were aligned for greater efficiencies. In addition to General Hoffman's keynote remarks, AFMC Vice Commander Lt. Gen. Janet Wolfenbarger participated in a panel discussion moderated by AFMC Executive Director Dr. Stephen Butler. They were joined by Lt. Gen. Mark Shackelford, principal military deputy to the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, and his Army counterpart, Lt. Gen. William Phillips. General Wolfenbarger delivered the Capstone Summary as the conference wound down April 27. Sponsored by the Defense Acquisition University, the two-day conference was planned around the theme, "Implementing Acquisition Efficiencies: How Do You Fit In?"