Defining Base Operating Support and Airfield Operating Support
Abstract
Differing levels of airfield operating support at various forward operating locations during Operation ENDURING FREEDOM affected mission accomplishment and operational effectiveness, and generated dissatisfaction among service leadership. A lack of a common vocabulary from which to base expectations, roles, and responsibilities for support left commanders unaided to work things out in the field. This graduate research paper explores joint doctrine, as well as joint and service task lists, to determine if there are existing definitions of base and/or airfield operating support. Finding only partial definitions, the paper next reviews lessons learned to validate the issue in the context of the partial definitions. With a basic understanding of what base and airfield operating support are, this paper reviews the organizational structures of the Air Force and Army in home station and expeditionary environments. Through an analysis of the activities of these organizations, four models were developed. These four models, two each for base and airfield operating support, are melded into a single model. This final model, viewed in the definitional and organizational context developed previously, is the definition of base and airfield support. The model shows that base and airfield operating support are separable, but highly interrelated. A cursory view of several alternative methods of accomplishing base and/or airfield support is included.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jun 01, 2003
- Accession Number
- ADA430912
Entities
People
- David S. Vaughn
Organizations
- Air Force Institute of Technology