The Next-Generation Expeditionary Air Force

On 20 November 2008, the CSAF tasked the Air Force Research Institute AFRI to determine if the current expeditionary air and space forces EAF construct is engineered to deal with current and future challenges facing the Air Force. Specific elements for research were the need to meet the demands across the range of military operations, presentation of forces to combatant commanders CCDR, appropriate flexibility and sustainability, continuity of leadership, and teaming of deployed forces. In this study, we discuss five issues for change, and our recommendations provide the framework needed to produce the project s desired end state of a measurable and sustainable expeditionary process that meets combatant commanders requirements across the range of military operations. Interviews were conducted with the Air Staff, Air Combat Command, Air Mobility Command, Air Force Personnel Center, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard. Detailed, tactical-level data of their air and space expeditionary force AEF processes were assimilated into a strategic-level analysis. Two major issues identified the need for change. First, each deployment relies on custom design because the present AEF construct does not match the operational environment of phase IV and irregular warfare IW operations. The original design did not anticipate the demands placed on expeditionary combat support ECS i.e., continuous surge and the shift in force mix from aviation-related to ECS forces. Second, the AEF processes do not provide an effective means to measure and communicate deployed-to-employ and employed-in-place forces and capabilities. Without this measurement, the Air Force cannot clearly articulate its total contribution to joint operations and highlight the stress caused by constant rotations.