Washington, D.C.; December 19th, 2025
Inside the United States Air Force, there is a quiet but accelerating shift underway in how modern warfare is planned, coordinated, and executed. It is not driven by a single aircraft, a new weapons platform, or a classified system hidden from public view, but by something far more foundational. It is driven by how information is processed, how decisions are supported, and how human judgment is strengthened under pressure.
That shift was on full display during Capstone 2025, an Air Force-led effort focused on advancing artificial intelligence for command and control, dynamic targeting, and coalition integration, according to an official release from the U.S. Air Force.
Capstone 2025 brought together Air Force operators, engineers, scientists, and coalition partners to evaluate how artificial intelligence can assist commanders in some of the most demanding environments imaginable. The goal, as described by the Air Force, was not to replace human decision-making, but to enhance it, particularly in scenarios where information moves faster than any single person can reasonably absorb.
Modern military operations generate enormous volumes of data. Sensors, intelligence feeds, operational reports, and real-time battlefield updates converge simultaneously, often across multiple domains. The Air Force explained that Capstone 2025 explored how AI tools can help organize, prioritize, and visualize that information in ways that allow commanders to understand complex situations more clearly and respond more effectively.
Command and control, often referred to as C2, was a central focus. In contested environments, commanders must make rapid decisions while coordinating forces spread across vast distances. During Capstone 2025, AI-enabled systems were evaluated for their ability to assist leaders in managing those challenges, helping them see connections, identify emerging threats, and consider possible courses of action with greater speed and clarity.
Dynamic targeting was another major area examined. Unlike traditional targeting, which can rely on extended planning cycles, dynamic targeting deals with fleeting, time-sensitive targets that appear and disappear quickly. According to the Air Force, Capstone 2025 demonstrated how artificial intelligence can support operators by rapidly analyzing data, highlighting relevant targets, and feeding insights into decision processes, all while keeping humans firmly in control of final judgments.
Coalition integration added an additional layer of complexity. Today’s operations rarely involve the United States acting alone. Allied and partner nations are routinely involved, each bringing their own systems, authorities, and constraints. The Air Force noted that Capstone 2025 included multinational participation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring AI tools can operate across coalition environments while safeguarding sensitive information and maintaining shared ethical standards.
Throughout the exercises, Air Force leaders emphasized that trust is central to the effective use of artificial intelligence. Trust, in this context, means commanders understanding what AI systems can do, what they cannot do, and how their outputs are generated. Capstone 2025 was described as a venue for building that trust through realistic testing and direct operator involvement.
The Air Force also framed Capstone 2025 as part of a broader cultural evolution within the service. Integrating artificial intelligence into operations is not simply a technical challenge, but a human one. It requires training, transparency, and a clear understanding that accountability remains with people, not machines.
By placing airmen and coalition partners directly alongside emerging AI capabilities, Capstone 2025 allowed the Air Force to evaluate how those tools function in real operational contexts rather than theoretical models. The lessons learned are expected to inform future doctrine, capability development, and planning across the force.
As the Air Force looks ahead, Capstone 2025 stands as a snapshot of where modern warfare is heading. Artificial intelligence is becoming an integral part of how information is processed and decisions are supported, but always in service of human judgment, not in place of it. According to the Air Force’s own account, the work done during Capstone 2025 reflects a commitment to ensuring that future commanders, operators, and coalition partners are better equipped to face the complexity and speed of tomorrow’s conflicts.
The Appalachian Post is an independent West Virginia news outlet dedicated to clean, verified, first-hand reporting. We do not publish rumors. We do not run speculation. Every fact we present must be supported by original documentation, official statements, or direct evidence. When secondary sources are used, we clearly identify them and never treat them as first-hand confirmation. We avoid loaded language, emotional framing, or accusatory wording, and we do not attack individuals, organizations, or other news outlets. Our role is to report only what can be verified through first-hand sources and allow readers to form their own interpretations. If we cannot confirm a claim using original evidence, we state clearly that we reviewed first-hand sources and could not find documentation confirming it. Our commitment is simple: honest reporting, transparent sourcing, and zero speculation.
Sources
Primary First Hand Source
• U.S. Air Force, “Capstone 2025: Advancing AI for C2, dynamic targeting, coalition integration,” official Air Force news release.
Appalachian Post 
Leave a comment