Force Presentation in U.S. Air Force History and Airpower Narratives
Abstract
Each branch of the U.S. armed services has created organizational constructs, processes, and strategic narratives to accomplish six key functions: (1) sizing forces, (2) deploying forces, (3) employing forces, (4) sustaining operational effects, (5) managing force rotations, and (6) articulating service purpose. In the U.S. Air Force (USAF), these functions are typically grouped together under what is known as force presentation. Although force presentation is most formally associated with the fifth function (managing force rotations), USAF leaders and personnel often use it in reference to all six functions. The director of Strategy, Concepts and Assessments, Headquarters, USAF, commissioned a fiscal year 2016 RAND Project AIR FORCE study to help the USAF improve its force presentation model and associated narrative. This report, which is one of the products of that study, seeks to answer three questions: (1) What is the current USAF force presentation construct, and how did it evolve historically? (2) What USAF force presentation constructs are most accessible to external audiences? (3) How might force presentation be integrated into the USAF strategic narrative?
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2018
- Accession Number
- AD1086227
Entities
People
- Alan J. Vick
Organizations
- RAND Corporation