Developing Flexible Command and Control of Airpower
Abstract
Over the coming decades, the Air Force can expect to be involved in missions across the full spectrum of conflict. Increasingly complex security environments will require the service to provide not only forces--ready and able to deploy quickly around the globe--but also the command and control architecture for those forces and their operations. Without the proper command and control of Air Force capabilities, the achievement of national military objectives will suffer. Although centralized control--a guiding principle for organizing, training, and equipping Air Force command and control-- sounds straightforward, it is in fact very complex and often misunderstood. The Air Force has misapplied this primary tenet by creating organizational structures with centralized command and control of airpower only at the combatant commander (CCDR) level. Although productive for major combat operations, this "one-size-fits-all" configuration runs contrary to fully effective command and control of Air Force capabilities across the spectrum of conflict. History demonstrates that effectual command and control of airpower requires flexible control, centralized at the appropriate level of command. The current centralized practice works well for operations led at the CCDR level but limits the Air Force's ability to respond (other than through ad hoc means) to situations requiring decision authority below this level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Jan 01, 2011
- Accession Number
- ADA538520
Entities
People
- Daniel R. Mortensen
- Jeffrey Hukill
Organizations
- Air University