How Airlift Meets U.S. Northern Command's Requirements

Abstract

The role of the military in civil affairs has seemed to present distinct challenges. Whether the constraints are legal, physical, or simply a lack of appropriate guidance and training, the process by which the military is tasked and how the assets are allocated has changed with the creation of the Department of Homeland Security and its military arm, U.S. Northern Command. The research presented in this paper provides a look at the key elements and factors affecting the use of military airlift in support of Homeland Defense and Homeland Security. The end result is a starting point for U.S. Northern Command's airlift planners in understanding many of the legal, doctrinal, and physical factors that impact the way in which airlift is utilized for civil support. A final emphasis is on how the Air Force can present airlift forces, preferably in the form of an Air and Space Expeditionary Task Force (AETF), to support a Joint Task Force (JTF) supporting U.S. Northern Command's mission. The findings include how legal constraints on the military while it is providing civil assistance might be outdated and in need of change to reflect the current climate of the United States. The movement of civilian agency assets, such as those from FEMA, brings unique challenges that can be overcome with effective deliberate planning. The need for education on the Time-Phased Force Deployment Data (TPFDD) process and instilling TPFDD discipline within the echelons will enhance the flow of forces to support civilian agencies. The need to redesign the Joint Chiefs of Staff Priority System is necessary to aid in stratifying movements with the same priority. The Air Force must appropriately tailor their AETFs to support the JTF's or SSTF's specific requirements. The use of Standing JTFs are effective, provide continuity, and foster long-term interagency relationships. Finally, USNORTHCOM must evaluate the impact the Air Reserve Components have on its ability to accomplish their mission.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2003
Accession Number
ADA430867

Entities

People

  • Jay L. Junkins

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • C4I
  • Human Systems
  • Space

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Force
  • Combatant Commanders
  • Department Of Homeland Security
  • Emergency Response
  • Employment
  • Homeland Defense
  • Homeland Security
  • Humanitarian Assistance
  • Interagency Coordination
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Personnel Management
  • Quick Reaction Force
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • United States Northern Command
  • United States Transportation Command
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.

Technology Areas

  • Space