# Air Force Reduces CASI Civilian Staff

The U.S. Air Force is implementing significant civilian workforce reductions at its China Aerospace Studies Institute (CASI), a key think tank focused on Chinese air and space power analysis. Despite continuing operations with military personnel, the loss of civilian experts is expected to severely diminish CASI's research capabilities and institutional knowledge. This development raises concerns about the long-term viability of CASI's mission and its impact on defense intelligence related to China.

- **Why this matters:** Procurement professionals should anticipate potential shifts in research support requirements and contracting opportunities as CASI adjusts its staffing and operational model.
- The reduction in civilian staff may lead to increased reliance on military personnel and possibly external contractors for research and analysis services.
- Organizations providing specialized defense research, analysis, and intelligence support may find emerging opportunities to fill capability gaps left by civilian workforce cuts.
- This change signals broader Pentagon workforce adjustments that could affect other defense research entities and associated procurement strategies.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** September 24, 2026

### Government Entities
- Air Force (USAF)
- Department of the Air Force (DAF)
- Air University
- Army
- Navy

### Key Quotes
> While CASI staff will likely land on their feet, the institutional knowledge and influence that CASI built over many years will be lost, and CASI’s research collection at the National Defense University (NDU) will be at risk.
> — William Yale, Navy Surface Warfare Officer

### Sources
- [The Air Force says its China think tank will continue. Its director says it's basically dead. - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/09/the-air-force-says-its-china-think-tank-will-continue-its-director-says-its-basically-dead) - Breaking Defense