Air Force Chief of Staff says AF modernization is priority Published Sept. 29, 2022 By David Vergun DOD News WASHINGTON -- Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. spoke Sept. 27 at the State of Defense conference on DefenseOne.com. Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Regarding hypersonic threats from adversaries, Brown said, "We want to make sure we have not only that capability but the capacity. There's a balance between having a hypersonic capability, but it's all the other munitions that we would also have [that] ensure our portfolio because what I want to make sure that we have is a full complement of the capability to go against the threats that we know about today." As for recent Chinese activity in the Taiwan Strait, Brown said the U.S. will continue operating in international waters. Speaking about nuclear threats Brown said: "We want to make sure we have a safe, secure, reliable nuclear deterrent." Photo Details / Download Hi-Res Brown also mentioned the modernization of the B-52 bombers to the newer B-21s and the Minuteman 3 missiles. "We are on a path to modernize the Air Force not only across the conventional air force but also nuclear force, as well," he said.