Reducing the Force Protection Continuity Gap Created by the Air Expeditionary Force
Abstract
While the new Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF) concept is a bold step in reducing the operations tempo of Air Force personnel, the change in the way forces are rotated into deployed locations creates a continuity gap for those who perform the force protection mission. Before the AEF concept was instituted, small teams of new arrivals were continually integrated into the established security force which ensured at any given time the majority of the force had a month or more of experience working at the deployed location, This afforded the luxury of relying on those with experience to help get new people up to speed on the terrain, local procedures, and emergency actions, Under the AEF, this gradual ability to familiarize people with the location does not exist because of the nearly complete changeover of personnel every 90 days with only a few days overlap with the departing forces, This sudden loss of nearly all experience at the worker level reduces the force protection effectiveness during the period the new arrivals are gaining the necessary familiarity of the local terrain, and knowledge of vulnerabilities, unique threats and procedures, This paper addresses this problem by examining current and developing computer modeling and simulation technologies which can be employed during pre-deployment training to reduce the time required to get the force protection team fully operational once they arrive at a deployed AEF location, It will also allow senior leaders in the security forces career field to make more informed decisions on the employment and procurement of training technologies.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA406913
Entities
People
- Paul D. Harris
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College