Evolution of the Air Component Commander Post Goldwater-Nichols

Abstract

This research examines the role of the Joint and/or Combined Forces Air Component Commander (JFACC and/or CFACC) since the adoption of Goldwater-Nichols legislation in 1986. This work begins with a historical survey of the command of airpower and organizational arrangements from World War I through the Vietnam War. This study then examines three cases in which a single air component commander was used post-Goldwater-Nichols: Operation Desert Storm, Operation Allied Force, and Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. Additionally, it focuses on the men that filled the air component commander role for these operations: General Charles Horner, Lieutenant General Michael Short, and General T. Michael Moseley respectively. This research determined that the role of the air component commander has evolved since its institution. It highlights the importance of the air components commander's ability to form his own organization as well as modify it to fit unique combatant command organizational structures such as the "dual hatting" of senior commanders and the challenge of geographic separation between component and command headquarters.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 01, 2013
Accession Number
ADA615881

Entities

People

  • Robert L. Brown

Organizations

  • Air University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • C4I
  • Cyber
  • Energy and Power Technologies
  • Human Systems
  • Materials and Manufacturing Processes
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Aerial Warfare
  • Air Force
  • Air Power
  • Contingency Operations (Military)
  • Geography
  • Intergovernmental Organizations
  • International Law
  • International Organizations
  • Iraqi-War
  • Military Force Levels
  • Military History
  • Military Organizations
  • Military Science
  • Organizational Structure
  • Unified Combatant Commands
  • War Colleges
  • Warfare

Readers

  • Joint Military Operations and Doctrine.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.