Expansion or Marginalization: How Effects-Based Organization Could Determine the Future of Air Force Space Command
Abstract
Air Force Space Command is currently organized around a domain: it does things in and through space. Such an organization is not optimal, as it ignores synergies gained from effects-based organization: the grouping of missions according to similar effects instead of platforms and platform locations. Events already in motion appear poised to push Space Command to the sidelines unless it proactively embraces missions in other domains that produce effects similar to what it currently does exclusively from space. The newly announced Air Force Cyberspace Command could suffer from similar problems since it is similarly organized around a domain instead of effects. This paper proposes a change in Air Force organizational structure that deemphasizes the domain and stresses effects; combat effects are separated from combat support effects so that these effects-based synergies can best be exploited. An Air Force Space Command combined with the new Air Force Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance Agency would become the cornerstone of a new combat support command that would enable a single commander to support joint Department of Defense operations and the intelligence community more effectively than is possible under the current structure. Such a new command could quickly become the nation's preeminent provider of high-ground command, control, communications, computers, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (C4ISR) effects.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jul 01, 2008
- Accession Number
- ADA485277
Entities
People
- Edward B. Tomme
Organizations
- Air University