Air Force Operations

Overview Doctrine Definition Levels of Air & Space Doctrine Defining Airpower Airmindedness Air Force Operations

Overview (2nd Hour) Air Force Operations Space Ops Nuclear Ops Cyberspace Ops Air Mobility Command and Control Counterair Global Integrated ISR Personnel Recovery Strategic Attack Counterland Special Ops Combat Support

Doctrine Defined “Fundamental principles by which the military forces guide their actions in support of national objectives.” - Joint Publication 1-02 Theory Doctrine Technology Experience

3 Levels of Doctrine Basic Doctrine Most fundamental and enduring beliefs that describe and guide the proper use, presentation, and organization of forces in military actions NOT a checklist or scientific formula…provides common frame of reference Provides an Airman’s perspective on organizing and employing air and space forces

3 Levels of Doctrine Operational Doctrine Tactical Doctrine More detailed…how to organize and employ military forces and applies the principles of basic doctrine to military actions. Tactical Doctrine Most detailed…describes proper employment of specific A/F Assets. It’s the “specific tactics to accomplish specific missions.”

DODI 5001.01 Establishes the basic functions of the Air Force AF Doctrine Vol I and AF Doctrine Annexes describe and define those requirements.

What is Airpower? “Airpower is the ability to project military power or influence through the control and exploitation of air, space, and cyberspace to achieve strategic, operational, or tactical objectives.” ~

Airpower Interdependent Dimensions Air Space Cyberspace

Airmindedness Unique Perspective of Airmen Not merely abstract term to capture how Airmen feel; rather, it is an active cognitive process that leads to proper application of airpower Enables Airmen to think/act at tactical, operational, and strategic levels of war

Air Force Operations Nuclear Operations Global ISR Counterair Strategic Attack Counterland Air Mobility Space Operations Personnel Recovery Cyberspace Operations Combat Support Special Ops Command and Control

Nuclear Operations The Air Force’s role in nuclear operations is to: Organize, train, equip, and sustain forces with the capability to support the national security goals of deterring adversaries from attacking the United States and its interests with their nuclear arsenals or other weapons of mass destruction (WMD) Dissuade competitors from developing WMD Assure allies and partners of the US' ability and determination to protect them Hold at risk a specific range of targets The fundamental purpose of the US nuclear arsenal is to deter an enemy’s use of its nuclear arsenal or other WMD.

Nuclear Operations The physical employment of nuclear weapons at any level requires explicit orders from the President. The law of armed conflict does not expressly prohibit the possession or use of nuclear weapons. Nuclear Surety: “The goal of the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Surety Program is to incorporate maximum nuclear surety, consistent with operational requirements, from weapon system development to retirement from the inventory.”

Counterair Counterair is a mission that integrates offensive and defensive operations to attain and maintain a desired degree of air superiority. Air parity: A condition in the air battle in which one force does not have air superiority over others. Air superiority: That degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another that permits the conduct of operations…at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force. Air supremacy: That degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another that permits the conduct of operations…at a given time and place without any effective interference by the opposing force. This is the highest level of air control.

Counterland Airpower operations against enemy land force capabilities to create effects that achieve joint force commander objectives. This is accomplished by two means: Air Interdiction Close Air Support …..Let’s look closer at these

Interdiction “Air operations to divert, disrupt, delay or destroy the enemy’s surface military potential before it can be used effectively against friendly forces.” Targets for interdiction attacks: Military weapon systems and supplies (tanks/artillery/infantry/POL)

Close Air Support Air action by aircraft against hostile targets in close proximity to friendly forces… Requires close integration between fire and movement of forces

Space Operations Three overarching mission areas: Global Space Mission Operations (GSMO). Includes ISR, launch protection, missile tracking, environmental monitoring, satellite communications, and GPS. Space Support (SS). Includes assured access to space, satellite support operation (telemetry, tracking and control), and space support services (Training and TTP development.) Space Control (SC). Air Force space forces execute space control operations to protect US military and friendly space capabilities while denying space capabilities to the adversary. This includes both offensive and defensive operations.

BREAK!

Cyberspace Operations The employment of cyberspace capabilities where the primary purpose is to achieve military objectives or effects in or through cyberspace. Sub elements include: Cyberspace is defined as “a global domain within the information environment consisting of the interdependent network of information technology infrastructures including the Internet, telecommunications networks, computer systems, and embedded processors and controllers.

Command and Control (C2) The exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission. Occurs at 3 levels: Strategic (US strategy and policy) Operational (OPCON normally at Air Operations Center (AOC/CAOC) and at Air Staff for deployment and sustainment of personnel) Tactical (TACON normally at the AOC)

Global Integrated Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) The cross-domain synchronization and integration of the planning and operation of ISR assets; sensors; processing, exploitation and dissemination systems; and, analysis and production capabilities across the globe to conduct current and future operations. ISR is conducted through a 5-phase process: Planning and Directing Collection Processing and Exploitation Analysis and Production Dissemination and Integration

Strategic Attack Offensive action specifically selected to achieve national or military strategic objectives. Strike the heart of the enemy (Centers of Gravity) May avoid sequential fight through layers of forces Weaken enemy ability or will to fight May achieve strategic objective without achieving operational objective as a precondition John wardens book

Air Mobility The rapid movement or personnel, material, and forces to and from or within a theater by air. 4 types of Air Mobility operations: Airlift Air Refueling Air Mobility Support Aeromedical Evacuation

Airlift Operations to transport and deliver forces and material through the air in support of Strategic, operational or tactical objectives.

Air Refueling The refueling of an aircraft in flight by another aircraft Serves as a force multiplier Expands commander’s employment options by increasing, range, payload, and flexibility

Air Mobility Support Air mobility support provides command and control, aerial port, and maintenance for mobility air forces.

Aeromedical Evacuation Provides en route care of regulated casualties to and between medical treatment facilities using aircraft with medical aircrew trained explicitly for that mission. Can operate across entire range of military operations (ROMO)

Personnel Recovery The sum of military, diplomatic, and civil efforts to recover and return US Military, DOD civilians and DOD contractor personnel who are isolated or missing while participating in military missions. Collateral missions include: casualty evacuation, civil search and rescue, counter-drug operations, emergency aeromedical evacuation, homeland security, humanitarian relief, international aid, noncombatant evacuation operations, NASA support, infiltration and exfiltration of personnel, special operations, and disaster response.

Combat Support The capability to field, base, protect, support, and sustain Air Force forces across the ROMO.

Special Operations Operations requiring unique modes of employment, tactical techniques, equipment and training often conducted in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments. Characterized by one or more of the following: Time sensitive, clandestine, low visibility, conducted with and/or through indigenous forces, requiring regional expertise, and/or a high degree of risk.

Summary Doctrine Definition Levels of Air & Space Doctrine Defining Airpower Airmindedness Air Force Operations

Summary (2nd Hour) Air Force Operations Space Ops Nuclear Ops Cyberspace Ops Air Mobility Command and Control Counterair Global Integrated ISR Personnel Recovery Strategic Attack Counterland Special Ops Combat Support