THE DECENNIAL OF AIR FORCE SPACE COMMAND'S ONLY GROUND BASED MISSILE WARNING CLASSIC ASSOCIATE UNIT: BENEFITS, DRAWBACKS, AND CHALLENGES
Abstract
On 14 April 2016, Clear Air Force Station (AFS) will celebrate a decade of operating its Ground Based Missile Warning (GBMW) radar under an Air Force and Air National Guard Classic Associate unit construct. The purpose of this paper is to examine what have been the benefits, drawbacks and challenges of this Total Force structure. This paper employs a case study methodology to explore the history of the unit, explain the GBMW mission, and identify how this construct could benefit the transition to a Space Mission Force concept for operating in the new Contested, Degraded, and Operationally Limited space environment. Amongst key findings were the benefits Guardsmen bring in continuity and experience level. Drawbacks were Military Personnel Appropriation day usage, delays in Guardsmen certification training, Guard officer career stagnation, and challenges of having two commanders. Based on the findings, this paper offers four key recommendations: make all Continental United States (CONUS) GBMW sites Classic Associate units, make Missile Warning a Homeland Defense mission, create an Air National Guard GBMW career path, and assign one Dual Status Commander. A Classic Associate unit construct employed at all CONUS GBMW sites would provide the Combatant Commander with an adept, experienced GBMW crew force.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 16, 2016
- Accession Number
- AD1040700
Entities
People
- Erik J. Haugen
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College