Assessing Effects-Based Operations Crucial Feedback for the Air Component Commander
Abstract
Effects-Based Operations depend on two things: smart operational objectives that accomplish the desired political goals, and feedback on the progress toward achieving those objectives. As an operational-level commander, the Joint Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC) needs operational-level feedback, and today s Joint and Air Force guidance covering that feedback is insufficient for the need. Therefore, fixing the assessment problem requires going back to first principles about the feedback requirements of the air commander at the operational level of war. Col John Boyd s theory of war emphasizes the dominance of time in warfighting decision-making and his Observe-Orient-Decide-Act (OODA) loop is an appropriate foundation for determining the way air component assessment should be done. The JFACC needs the assessment function to improve the speed and accuracy of his OODA loop by providing feedback on friendly efforts, the interaction of those efforts with the enemy and the environment, and the effects on enemy behavior. Joint and Air Force publications should be revised accordingly to guide the organization, training, and equipping of Joint Aerospace Operations Centers in preparing for the demanding task of assessing air operations.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA424960
Entities
People
- Thomas J. Timmerman
Organizations
- Air Command and Staff College