Air Force Core Functions

If you are an AIRMAN

then you believe that airpower,

if used in certain ways,

will achieve victory more quickly than if used in other ways.

• Levels of Air & Space Doctrine• Air Force Core Functions

– Nuclear Deterrence Operations– Air Superiority – Space Superiority– Cyber Superiority – Command and Control

Overview

•Air Force Core Functions cont’

– Global Integrated ISR– Global Precision Attack– Rapid Global Mobility– Personnel Recovery – Agile Combat Support– Special Operations– Building Partnerships

Overview 2nd hr

Doctrine

Theory

Doctrine

History

Simulations& Exercises

Conflict

3 Levels of Doctrine

Doctrine: The officially-sanctioned beliefs, based on theory & history

• Basic Doctrine – Most fundamental and enduring

beliefs that describe and guide the proper use of air & space forces

– NOT a checklist or scientific formula…provides common frame of reference

– Provides an Airman’s perspective on organizing and employing air and space forces

• Operational Doctrine (AFDD 2)– More detailed… how to organize

and employ air and space power…

Operations And

Organization

Air Force Doctrine Document 2

• Tactical Doctrine (AFTTP 3- series)Proper Employment or Deployment of Specific A/F Assets

Air Force Tactics, Techniques, and

Procedures

AFTTP-3

3 Levels of Doctrine

• Air Force Core Functions– Nuclear Deterrence Operations– Air Superiority – Space Superiority– Cyber Superiority – Command and Control

Nuclear Deterrence Operations

• Designed to operate, maintain, and secure nuclear forces to achieve an assured capability to deter an adversary from taking action against vital US interests.

• Sub elements include:– Assure/Dissuade/Deter– Nuclear Strike– Nuclear Surety

Air Superiority

• The degree of dominance in the air battle of one force over another, which permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, air, and special operations forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force.

• Sub elements include:– Offensive Counterair– Defensive Counterair– Airspace Control

Counterair• Offensive Counterair (OCA)

– Take the fight to the enemy– Engage over or near their territory

• Defensive Counterair (DCA)– Enemy brings the fight to you– Engage over or near our territory

• Airspace Control– Provides safe efficient use of airspace and

prevents fratricide

Space Superiority

• The degree of dominance in space of one force over another that permits the conduct of operations by the former and its related land, sea, air, space, and special operations forces at a given time and place without prohibitive interference by the opposing force.

• Sub elements include: – Space Force Enhancement– Space Force Application– Space Control– Space Support

Cyber Superiority

• The operational advantage in, through, and from cyberspace to conduct operations at a given time and in a given domain without prohibitive interference

• Sub elements (all ISR dependent) include:– Cyber Force Application (CNA, CNE)– Cyber Defense (CNA, CNE, CND) – Cyber Support (CNE, CND)

Command and Control (C2)

• The exercise of authority and direction by a properly designated commander over assigned and attached forces in the accomplishment of the mission.

• Sub elements include:– Strategic Level C2– Operational Level C2– Tactical Level C2

• Air Force Core Functions– Nuclear Deterrence Operations– Air Superiority – Space Superiority– Cyber Superiority – Command and Control

Interim Summary

•Air Force Core Functions cont’

– Global Integrated ISR– Global Precision Attack– Rapid Global Mobility– Personnel Recovery – Agile Combat Support– Special Operations– Building Partnerships

Overview 2nd hr

Global Integrated Intelligence,

Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)• The synchronization and integration of the

planning and operation of sensors, assets, and processing, exploitation, and dissemination systems across the globe to conduct current and future operations.

• Sub elements include:– Planning and Directing– Collection– Processing and Exploitation– Analysis and Production– Dissemination and Integration

Global Precision Attack

• The ability to hold at risk or strike rapidly and persistently, with a wide range of munitions, any target and to create swift, decisive, and precise effects across multiple domains.

• Sub elements include:– Strategic Attack– Air Interdiction– Close Air Support

• Attack points where:– the enemy is vulnerable– attack will be decisive

•

• Striking enemy in the core – Bring enemy to their knees– Stop enemy’s will to fight

Strategic Attack

• “Divert, disrupt, delay or destroy the enemy’s surface military potential before it can be used effectively against friendly forces.”

• Targets for interdiction attacks:– Military weapon systems (tanks/artillery/infantry)– Military supplies (POL)

Interdiction

• One of airpower’s most flexible and powerful uses

– Strike enemy forces w/o having to fight them– Disrupts enemy’s offensive operations

Interdiction

• Air operations against hostile targets in close proximity to friendly forces…

• Occurs on or near battlefield

Close Air Support

• Provides direct support of friendly surface forces

Rapid Global Mobility

• The timely deployment, employment, sustainment, augmentation, and redeployment of military forces and capabilities across the Range of Military Operations. (ROMO)

• Sub elements include:– Air Lift– Air Refueling– Aeromedical Evacuation

Airlift

• The transportation of personnel and material through the air and can be applied across the entire range of military operations.

• The in-flight transfer of

fuel between tanker and

receiver aircraft

Air Refueling

Air Refueling

• Expands commander’s employment options by increasing

• Range• Payload• Loiter time• Flexibility

• By increasing payload it is a force multiplier

KC-135

F-111F

Personnel Recover

• The sum of military, diplomatic, and civil efforts to prepare for and execute the recovery and reintegration of isolated personnel

• Sub elements include:– Combat Search and Rescue– Civil Search and Rescue– Disaster Response– Humanitarian Assistance Operations– Medical/Casualty Evacuation

• …a specific task performed

by rescue forces to recover

isolated personnel during

military operations .

Combat Search & Rescue

Agile Combat Support

• The ability to field, protect, and sustain Air Force forces across the ROMO to achieve joint effects.

• Sub elements include:– Prepare the battle space– Ready, Position, Protect, Sustain, and Recover

the Total Force– Employ combat support forces

Special Operations

• Operations conducted in hostile, denied, or politically sensitive environments to achieve military, diplomatic, informational, or economic objectives employing military capabilities for which there is no conventional force requirement.

• Sub elements include: Agile Combat Support, Aviation Foreign Internal Defense, Battlefield Air Operations, Command and Control, Information Operations, ISR, Military Information Support operations, Precision Strike, Air Mobility, and Air Refueling.

Building Partnerships

• Airmen interacting with international airmen and other relevant actors to develop, guide, and sustain relationships for mutual benefit and security.

• Sub elements include:– Communicate– Shape

•Air Force Core Functions – Global Integrated ISR– Global Precision Attack– Rapid Global Mobility– Personnel Recovery – Agile Combat Support– Special Operations– Building Partnerships

• Levels of Air & Space Doctrine– Basic, Operational, Tactical

• Air Force Core Functions– Nuclear Deterrence Operations– Air Superiority – Space Superiority– Cyber Superiority – Command and Control– Global Integrated ISR– Global Precision Attack– Rapid Global Mobility– Personnel Recovery – Agile Combat Support– Special Operations– Building Partnerships

Summary