Task Force Concepts of Operations: transforming the USAF - Features - U.S. Air Force

Air & Space Power Journal, Summer, 2003 by Larry Weaver, Anthony C. Cain

No matter what the details of the specific security concern may be, the transformation approach concentrates on providing a menu of air and space power capabilities to joint force commanders (JFC) as they design operational campaigns. Formerly, the service concentrated on procuring systems to meet a defined threat. According to the emerging philosophy, threat-based planning produced a very capable but inflexible force structure that ultimately struggled to adapt when confronting enemies that did not conform to the characteristics portrayed in the threat assessment. The new approach attempts to match actual and desired capabilities to a risk-assessment process that will assist program decision making. If the Air Force lacks a capability in a certain area, Air Staff CONOPS "champions" and major command (MAJCOM) "flight lead planners" will determine if the continued lack of capability presents significant risk. If the champions and flight leads perceive that the risk is unacceptable, they will recommend that the Air Staff direct the MAJCOM to fund programs to provide the capability. Capability-based planners argue that the approach moves service procurement functions out of a judgment-based, linear mind-set into an analytical-based system that better matches resources to required functions. Additionally, leaders will now be better equipped to defend service procurement decisions within the joint community and before Congress. The operating concepts provide structure for the capability-based analysis designed to transform how Air Force personnel think about purchasing, deploying, and employing air and space power.

The Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force (AETF) Operating Concept forms the basis for providing complete and tailored air and space capabilities to JFC through the remaining six operating concepts. AETF provides an analytical framework for programming decisions that provide operational capabilities to address national security challenges. AETF "prime" functional areas represent a force-in-being that provides the foundation for the deployable air and space expeditionary force (AEF). When Air Force leaders match prime assets to designated AEFs, they represent "core" deployable capabilities. In effect, the AEF core matches air and space weapon systems with available manpower to provide expeditionary forces to jFCs. When a JFC assigns AEF resources to mission taskings, the "mobility" function becomes an essential capability that provides combat and combat-support power to allow the AEF to exert global air and space dominance. Finally, "foundation" capabilities serve as long-term force multipliers to the AEF thr ough education and training, logistics, acquisition, infrastructure, and health care. As all four components (prime, core, mobility, and foundation) come together to respond to security challenges, they form air and space expeditionary task forces that function as integral parts of joint task forces.

The Space and Command, Control, Communications, Computer, Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (Space and C4ISR) Operating Concept provides capabilities for real-time information collection and manipulation that reaches across the tactical, operational, and strategic force-employment spectrum. Existing infrastructure remains tied to threat-based information demands. To achieve the expeditionary vision inherent in Air Force transformation philosophy, the Space and C4ISR CONOPS will require significant investments to move from a CONUS-based approach to a lighter, deployable expeditionary approach. As Space and C4ISR capabilities transition from day-to-day deterrence and dissuasion tasks to providing support for more focused war-fighting activities, the emphasis will shift to tailoring capabilities to enhance predictive battle space awareness (PBA) for joint forces that .are engaged. The pace and scope of Air Force transformation relies on integrating timely and accurate information and command and con trol architectures with combat and combat-support capabilities, thus making the Space and C4ISR Operating Concept a critical component of service transformation initiatives.