Operational Concepts
Operational Concepts
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“From its founding, the US Air Force has been tasked with projecting combat power across the globe. Historically, it has relied on a combination of continental US and overseas air bases to allow for relatively uncontested movement and operational reach to posture and employ forces and capabilities. However, since the Cold War ended, the Air Force has significantly reduced its global footprint. From 93 air bases during World War II, the Air Force presently maintains 33 permanent overseas air bases, a 65% reduction. This reduction challenges the Air Force’s ability to project power while simultaneously concentrating friendly high value assets for potential adversary action.
“From its founding, the US Air Force has been tasked with projecting combat power across the globe. Historically, it has relied on a combination of continental US and overseas air bases to allow for relatively uncontested movement and operational reach to posture and employ forces and capabilities. However, since the Cold War ended, the Air Force has significantly reduced its global footprint. From 93 air bases during World War II, the Air Force presently maintains 33 permanent overseas air bases, a 65% reduction. This reduction challenges the Air Force’s ability to project power while simultaneously concentrating friendly high value assets for potential adversary action.
Concurrently with the global footprint reduction, adversarial technological advances in pervasive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and all-domain long-range fires have placed air bases at significantly increased risk. Just as the Soviets placed Cold War bases in Europe at risk, new weapons systems now place bases at risk that were previously considered sanctuaries. Additionally, fiscal and political constraints limit the establishment of new permanent air bases. To address these challenges, the Air Force introduced Agile Combat Employment (ACE).”
Concurrently with the global footprint reduction, adversarial technological advances in pervasive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance and all-domain long-range fires have placed air bases at significantly increased risk. Just as the Soviets placed Cold War bases in Europe at risk, new weapons systems now place bases at risk that were previously considered sanctuaries. Additionally, fiscal and political constraints limit the establishment of new permanent air bases. To address these challenges, the Air Force introduced Agile Combat Employment (ACE).”
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
Explain how AFFORGEN prepares Airmen to deploy (mission ready Airmen)
Understand the five core elements of the operations framework for ACE
Explain how DAF force generation and employment concepts are utilized in support of Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO)
Lesson intent:
The intent of this lesson is to ensure NCOs understand their role within Joint All-Domain Operations (JADO) and how the Agile Combat Employment (ACE) operational concept supports JADO. Students must understand that the U.S. faces adversaries capable of wielding a disruptive and dangerous operational reach with mass, precision, and speed in all domains. An understanding of how mission command, joint operations, ACE, and AFFORGEN fit into Joint All-Domain Operations will prepare our NCOs for the future of the Air Force and Department of Defense operations.
Student preparation:
Students will read: AFDN 1-21 Agile Combat Employment , AFDP 3-99 Appendix B (pg. 24-25),
Read chapters 1, 2, 7, 8 and appendices A, B, D of Air Force Doctrine Publication 3-99, The Department of the Air Force Role in Joint All-Domain Operations, 19 November 2021
Lesson Reference(s):
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