Agile C-17 Support of Special Operations
Abstract
"Children debate ownership," stated a high ranking Royal Air Force official while discussing the role of the Combined Forces Air Component Commander in a presentation to the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base. This statement provides clarity in an era of ever tightening budgets and limited resources. A future military leadership challenge will be the ability to maximize efficiency and effectiveness of the limited but capable aviation assets available in the U.S. inventory. In order to meet future demands in a relevant manner, agile command and control relationships must be in place to best position commanders for success. This paper will specifically argue: There is a requirement for an agile command relationship between U.S. Transportation Command (TRANSCOM) and U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) in regards to the utilization of C-17's in support of intratheater special operations missions. This relationship is necessary to meet a growing airlift requirement that the Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is not currently capable of fulfilling due to the size of its airlift fleet.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Feb 12, 2009
- Accession Number
- ADA540443
Entities
People
- Daniel B. Hancock
Organizations
- Air War College