Fall 2006 - Air & Space Power Chronicle - Air Force Link

NOTAM 95The document’s authors have expandedthe chapter on Air Force organization afield,based on recent experience. Some discussionremains familiar, such as the basic structureof the air and space expeditionary task force(AETF) and the roles of the commander, AirForce forces (COMAFFOR) as well as thejoint force air and space component commander.One also finds a broader, clarifiedtreatment of command relationships—easilythe squeakiest wheel in many joint scenarios—again based on lessons learned. A new sectionaddresses the integration of regionallybased and functionally organized forces,picking up the theme introduced at the beginningof the publication.An added chapter on joint organization,paralleling the discussion of Air Force organization,explains how the AETF plugs into ajoint force and offers other nuggets regardingair and space power within such a force. Thechapter on planning considerations now includesdetails regarding effects-based operationsin planning. In its revised treatment ofair and space operations centers, AFDD 2 nowtouches on air-mobility and space-operationscenters, organization, and processes. Furthermore,the revamped A-staff discussion incorporatescurrent responsibilities.The document deliberately omits any explicationof the new Air Force component headquarters/ war-fighting headquarters (AFCHQ/WFHQ) because the governing directives andshape of this organization remain under development.One should note that the AFCHQ/WFHQ leverages principles contained inAFDD 2: responsibilities of the COMAFFOR,structure of the AETF, and lash-up of commandrelationships and authorities alreadypresented in the publication. Details of theAFCHQ/WFHQ will appear later in appropriatepolicy directives.The Air Force’s meatiest doctrine publication,AFDD 2 describes much of what the servicedoes at the operational level of war. Thisrevision gives our Airmen the latest doctrinalprinciples about planning, organizing, andconceptualizing operations. qJoint warfare is team warfare. Effectively integrated joint forces exposeno weak points or seams to an adversary, while they rapidly andefficiently find and engage those adversary weak points and vulnerabilitiesthat assure mission accomplishment. This does not meanthat all forces will be equally represented in each operation. Joint forcecommanders may choose the capabilities they need from the air, land,sea, space, and special operations forces at their disposal.—Joint Publication 1, Joint Warfare of the ArmedForces of the United States, 14 November 2000