Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin will step down this fall, cutting short a four-year term after just two years, the Pentagon announced Monday. His retirement marks another high-level departure under President Donald Trump’s administration.
In a statement, the Air Force confirmed that Allvin will retire in early November. He will remain in his role until a successor is nominated and confirmed by the Senate.
According to a person familiar with the decision, Allvin was told last week that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth wanted a leadership change. While Allvin was permitted to publicly announce the move, the source said it was “certainly not his choice.”
Officials at Hegseth’s office did not respond to requests for comment, and an Air Force spokesperson also declined to comment.
Allvin’s exit follows a series of senior military reshuffles since Trump’s return to the White House, including the removal of the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the chief of naval operations, the commandant of the Coast Guard, and the vice chief of staff of the Air Force. Other high-ranking officers have also been dismissed, rattling a defense establishment that usually prizes stability.
One leading candidate to succeed Allvin is Gen. Thomas Bussiere, nominated in July to serve as vice chief of staff. Bussiere currently commands Air Force Global Strike Command at Barksdale Air Force Base in Louisiana, where he oversees the nation’s nuclear arsenal. Pentagon officials regard him highly, sources said.
In his role, Bussiere directed parts of Operation Midnight Hammer, the June strike on Iranian nuclear facilities that the Trump administration has promoted as a major success.
Another official noted that the administration had long been dissatisfied with Allvin, particularly regarding his handling of preparations for a possible security confrontation with China.
In Monday’s statement, Allvin expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve. “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 said.
Air Force Secretary Troy Meink praised Allvin’s leadership, calling him “instrumental” in guiding the service through transformative initiatives. “General Allvin has been an invaluable partner and a model of service to our nation,” Meink added.
