Command and Control of Joint Air Operations through Mission Command

Abstract

For centuries, the US armed forces have endeavored to find the perfect balance between higher headquarters control and delegation of authority to subordinate units and commanders. Whether framed as the US Air Forces tenet of centralized control / decentralized execution or the US Armys mission command, the underlying concept of entrusting Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen with increased responsibility and promoting initiative is the foundation of this much needed effort. To effectively command and control (C2) joint air operations in todays contested and degraded environment while preparing for the volatile threats of tomorrow, the Air Force and joint community must instill the concept and principles of mission command in their culture. Consequently, this article discusses the origins and concepts of mission command, addresses and applies the principles of mission command to the Air Force and joint C2 decentralized operating environment, and outlines the C2 architecture systems, processes, and philosophy of command required to enable mission command effectively.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1015705

Entities

People

  • Trent R. Carpenter

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Counter WMD
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Defense
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Airborne Warning And Control System
  • Airspace Control
  • Army Personnel
  • Cloud Computing
  • Combat Operations
  • Command And Control
  • Command And Control Systems
  • Control Systems
  • Education
  • Military Science
  • Training
  • United States
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.

Technology Areas

  • Fully Networked C3
  • Fully Networked C3 - Command and Control