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Gen. Allvin unexpectedly announces retirement as Air Force chief of staff

The Air Force's top officer will retire "on or about" Nov. 1, according to a press release.
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Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin delivers a keynote address on the state of the U.S. Air Force during the Air and Space Forces Association 2024 Warfare Symposium in Aurora, Colo., Feb. 13, 2024. (U.S. Air Force photo by Staff Sgt. Olivia Stecker)

Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin announced Monday that “on or about” Nov. 1 he will step down as the service’s top officer.

“I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve as the 23rd Air Force Chief of Staff and I’m thankful for Secretary [of the Air Force Troy] Meink, Secretary [of Defense Pete] Hegseth and President [Donald] Trump’s faith in me to lead our service,” Allvin said in a statement. “More than anything, I’m proud to have been part of the team of Airmen who live out our core values of integrity, service and excellence every day as we prepare to defend this great nation.”

He did not provide a reason for his earlier-than-expected retirement.

Allvin has served as the Air Force’s chief of staff since November 2023, after spending three years as the service’s vice chief under Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown.

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According to the Air Force, Allvin will continue to serve in his current role “until a replacement is confirmed which will allow time for a smooth leadership transition.”

As the Air Force’s top military officer, Allvin has been at the head of the service’s recent modernization efforts — including the sixth-generation F-47 fighter jet contract awarded to Boeing, the ongoing Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) competition and creation of the Integrated Capabilities Command (ICC).

“During his tenure, the Air Force has undertaken transformational initiatives that will enable Airmen to answer their nation’s call for decades to come,” Meink said in a statement. “General Allvin has been instrumental in my onboarding as the department’s 27th Secretary and I’m forever grateful for his partnership as well as his decades of exemplary service to our nation.”

Mikayla Easley

Written by Mikayla Easley

Mikayla Easley reports on the Pentagon’s acquisition and use of emerging technologies. Prior to joining DefenseScoop, she covered national security and the defense industry for National Defense Magazine. She received a BA in Russian language and literature from the University of Michigan and a MA in journalism from the University of Missouri. You can follow her on Twitter @MikaylaEasley

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