Air Component Commander - Is the Concept Viable

The monograph examines the position held by the Air Force that a single manager of all aviation assets -- an Air Component Commander -- is required for the effective and efficient employment of joint aviation. This concept of an Air Component Commander Air Force term differs in some substantial ways from the concept of Joint Force Air Component Commander JFACC as defined by the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The relationship, and differences, between these two concepts will be developed by using doctrinal definitions. The aviation doctrine and structure in each service will be examined to illustrate the capability each service possesses to accomplish its stated doctrinal aviation mission. Using this doctrinal and structural development for each service as a basic framework, the concept of the Air Component Commander will be overlayed on the framework to determine whether it seems viable for a single manager to perform all, or most of the aviation tasks required by the individual services. The viability of the Air Component Commander concept will then be assessed against the criteria of identified aviation missions, roles and tasks identified in each service doctrine. The conclusion reached is that the single manager of all air resources and the indivisibility of air concept of the Air Force do not appear particularly viable against a Soviet opponent with a radically different view of aviation and its employment.