MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala -- The Air Command and Staff College celebrated the graduation of the Class of 2026 during a ceremony May 20, 2026, marking the culmination of a rigorous 10-month academic program for mid-career officers and civilians.
Hosted by Col. Benjamin Hatch, ACSC commandant, the event emphasized the critical role of joint integration, strategic readiness, and international alliances in an increasingly complex global environment. The ceremony concluded with the conferral of master’s degrees in military operational art and science to the graduates.
Hatch addressed the graduates, challenging them to carry forward the critical thinking and deliberate planning processes honed during their studies.
"Lethality is not just a buzzword. It's a commitment to readiness, to excellence and to the solemn responsibility we carry as warriors and military leaders," Hatch said. "It's about being so good, so sharp, and so prepared that our adversaries say, 'nope, not today,' because they're not willing to test the resolve of America, our allies, or our partners for fear of the consequences."
The keynote address was delivered by Royal Australian Air Force Air Vice-Marshal Carl Newman, Australian Defence Attaché to the United States of America and Head of the Australian Defence Staff – Washington. Newman, who graduated from ACSC in 2004 and later served as a military instructor at the college, highlighted the enduring bond between the U.S. and Australia.
Newman centered his remarks on two defining factors of military success: intellectual edge and relationships.
"Regardless of size, capabilities matter. Platforms matter. Technology matters, but it's the quality of thinking of those that use those capabilities, that use that technology, that use those platforms," Newman said. "It's the quality of thinking and the ability to frame problems, to discern patterns amongst uncertainty, and to make sound decisions under pressure that ultimately will determine success or failure in any application of power."
Newman also underscored the irreplaceable value of international partnerships in addressing modern strategic competition. Noting that relationships built during professional military education are like "money in the bank," he urged the graduates to maintain the connections they forged at ACSC.
"Future crises won't arrive neatly framed. The solutions will rarely be found within our national stovepipes," Newman told the class. "Working together is how we will solve those problems that you will face over the next two decades of your career."
As the newly graduated officers and civilians return to their respective military departments, federal agencies, and 65 partner nations, leadership reminded them that their real work is just beginning. Newman closed his address by looking ahead to the global impact the class will have over the next 20 years.
“For everyone of you graduating here today, you will contribute to your nation’s security, and collectively you will help define the future of the world,” Newman said. “I truly am confident that what you do will matter.”