RAND Project AIR FORCE Annual Report 2007 - RAND Corporation

ContentsAbout RAND Project AIR FORCE ............................iiiMessage from the Director ................................... 1Research HighlightsBuilding Partner CapacityThe Key to a Successful Counterinsurgency Strategy ................... 4The U.S. Air Force Plays a Highly Important, but Indirect,Role in Counterinsurgency ........................................ 5The Air Force Should Take Steps to EnhanceIts Counterinsurgency Capabilities ................................ 7Threats on the FrontierIdentifying Ways to Reduce U.S. Exposure to PotentialSpace Attacks ....................................................... 10Defensive Counterspace Begins with Awareness .................. 11Space Is Not a Fortress ...........................................13Greater Reliance on Space Will Not Always Improve Service ..... 14What Is the Right Number and Mix of Fighter Pilots?Complex Analysis for Fundamental Needs ............................ 16New Fighter Pilots Are Expected to Become ExperiencedDuring Their First Duty Assignments ............................ 17Fighter Units Require the Proper Ratio of Experiencedand Inexperienced Pilots ......................................... 18Maintaining Projected Fighter-Pilot Production Levelswith Reduced Aircraft Inventories and Flying HoursCan Harm Training and Combat Readiness ...................... 18An Air Force Working Group on Aircrew ManagementRecommended Several Initiatives That WouldLead to a Balanced System ....................................... 19The Working Group’s Initiatives Would HaveSpecific Benefits .................................................. 21Denying America AccessChina’s Efforts to Limit U.S. Power in the Western Pacific .............22China Sees Antiaccess Strategies as a Way to ExploitU.S. Vulnerabilities ..............................................23Annual Report 2007v