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THE SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE

CHIEF OF STAFF, UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

WASHINGTON DC

The Wright brothers' historic flight in 1903 ushered in the dawn of a dramatic era ofscientific, cultural, and technological advances. As the Air Force celebrates this centennial ofpowered flight, we do so with the recognition that, despite the daunting challenges of a moredynamic security environment, the next hundred years will witness equally fantastic achievements.The 2003 United States Air Force Posture Statement reflects this optimism. In this report, werelate some of our accomplishments of 2002 as well as our vision of an innovative and adaptiveforce capable of guaranteeing American air and space dominance for the decades to come. Oursuccesses are America's successes; they are the direct result of the selfless and unconditionalservice by men and women of the Total Air Force and their families.

During the past year, and in the midst of combat and a variety of contingency operations,we evaluated, implemented, and validated a host of technological advances, organizationalchanges, and concepts of operation. These enabled us to deliver desired effects faster and withgreater precision than at any time in the history of warfare. Such adaptation is characteristic ofour service, as airmen continually strive to push innovation ever forward en route to unprecedentedair and space capabilities for combatant commanders, the joint force, and our nation. In theyear ahead, we will move our expeditionary Air Force closer to realizing the transformationalimperatives of this new era, machine-to-machine digital integration of manned, unmanned, and spaceassets, and joint command and control. Our concepts of operations leverage this integration, andexpand our asymmetric advantages in air and space—advantages that are fundamental to defendingAmerica's interests, assuring our allies and coalition partners, and winning the nation's wars.

We recognize the responsibility for America's security is not one we shoulder alone. Wework tirelessly toward developing and training professional airmen, transitioning new technologiesinto warfighting, and integrating the capabilities of our sister services, other government agencies,and those of our friends abroad to act in the most efficient and effective manner across alloperations—from humanitarian to combat missions. At the same time, we pay special attentionto the consolidating aerospace industry, our acquisition processes, and our critical modernizationchallenges, to ensure we will be able to draw upon our core competencies for decades to come.

Blessed with full endorsement from the American people, the Congress, and the President,we will remain the world's dominant Air Force. We are honored to serve with America's airmen,and we sincerely appreciate the confidence in our commitment and capability to provide our greatNation with superiority in air and space.

JOHN P. JUMPER JAMES G. ROCHEGeneral, USAF Secretary of the Air ForceChief of Staff

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................ 1

WHAT WE DO ........................................................................................................ 7DEVELOPING AIRMEN: THE HEART OF COMBAT CAPABILITY ............................................... 8TECHNOLOGY-TO-WARFIGHTING: THE TOOLS OF COMBAT CAPABILITY ............................... 8INTEGRATING OPERATIONS: MAXIMIZING COMBAT CAPABILITIES ....................................... 9EXPEDITIONARY CONSTRUCT ......................................................................................... 10OPERATIONS IN 2002 .................................................................................................... 12TRAINING TRANSFORMATION ........................................................................................ 16JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF EXERCISES, INTEROPERABILITY TRAINING, AND EXPERIMENTATION .... 16TASK FORCE ENDURING LOOK .................................................................................... 17

WHO WE ARE ....................................................................................................... 19FORCE DEVELOPMENT: A NEW LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT PARADIGM ......................... 20EDUCATION AND TECHNICAL TRAINING: EMPHASIS ON JOINT LEADERSHIP/WARFARE .......... 21DIVERSITY .................................................................................................................... 22RECRUITING ................................................................................................................. 22RETENTION ................................................................................................................... 23SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... 23

WHERE WE’RE GOING .................................................................................... 25CAPABILITIES-BASED CONOPS ................................................................................... 26SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY: WELLSPRING OF AIR AND SPACE CAPABILITIES ................... 29EXECUTIVE AGENT FOR SPACE ...................................................................................... 29DRAWING EFFECTS FROM SPACE .................................................................................... 30HORIZONTAL INTEGRATION OF MANNED, UNMANNED, AND SPACE ASSETS ................... 32ADDRESSING THE RECAPITALIZATION CHALLENGES ....................................................... 34ORGANIZATIONAL ADAPTATIONS .................................................................................. 36WARFIGHTING INTEGRATION DEPUTATE ........................................................................ 36CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER (AF/CIO) .................................................................... 37BLENDED WING ........................................................................................................... 37COMBAT WING ............................................................................................................ 39ACQUISITION AND BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION ............................................................. 40ENSURING READINESS .................................................................................................. 41EXPANDING AEF PERSONNEL ....................................................................................... 43SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... 43

NEXT HORIZON ...................................................................................................... 45

INTRODUCTIONAs America approaches the 100th anniversaryof powered flight, the Air Force realizes thatthe nation is only in the adolescence of airand space capabilities. Yet we envision afuture that will manifest dramatic advancesin propulsion, operational employment,weapon systems, information technology,education, and training for our air andspace forces. It is a future of unprecedented,seamless integration of air and spacecapabilities with joint command and controlat the operational level of war, and machine-to-machine integration at the tactical level.We are pursuing these changes—someelementary, others revolutionary—whichwill dramatically escalate the capabilitiesavailable to the joint forces of the UnitedStates, perpetuate American air and spacedominance, and redefine the nature ofwarfare.

If there was any ambiguity about the natureof the security environment in this newcentury, the attacks of September 11, 2001crystallized the setting. Just as the turmoilof the previous decade eluded prediction,the dynamic setting of the decades aheadposes even greater predictive challengesas centers of power and sources of conflictmigrate from traditional origins. No longerwill it suffice to prepare for real and perceivedthreats from nation-states. Instead, Americamust apply the sum of our operationalexperiences and experimentation to developdynamic, flexible, and adaptable forces,capable of dissuading, deterring, anddefeating a much wider range of potentialadversaries, while still assuring our friendsand allies.

This fluid setting underscores the needfor doctrinal agility, and expeditious andresponsive acquisition, planning, andexecution across the spectrum of capabilitiesin support of homeland security—fromthe most difficult anti-access scenario tohumanitarian relief. As new generationsof technology proliferate among potentialadversaries, we also are reminded of theneed to keep pushing technology forward.In less than one hundred years, we elevatedfrom a Kitty Hawk bi-plane flying 100 feet ona 12-second flight, to a host of sophisticated,stealthy aerial vehicles capable of reaching

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any place in the world, and an array ofsatellites that circle the globe continuously.We do not rest on these achievements,but instead engage a new generation ofinnovation. Therefore, our mission is tomake calculated research, development,and procurement decisions with the resolveto integrate all of our combat, information,and support systems into an enterprisearchitecture that contributes joint air and spacecapabilities to help win the nation’s wars.

Meeting these requirements also warrantsour continued transformation into anexpeditionary force with the culture,composition, and capabilities to fulfill ourevolving operational tasks. As the scopeof global contingencies requiring Americaninvolvement has multiplied, we havewitnessed the substantial value of agility,

rapid response, and integration. Thus, weare becoming ever more responsive in time,technology, and training, and in the process,we are elevating Air Force contributionsto joint capabilities, while developing ourairmen as joint warfighters.

A year ago, Secretary Rumsfeld laid out anumber of key priorities for the Departmentof Defense (DoD). All of these—frompursuing the global war on terrorism andstrengthening joint warfighting capabilities,to streamlining the DoD processes andimproving interagency integration—demandacross-the-board changes in the way theDefense Department operates. The Air Forcehas taken advantage of this opportunityto evaluate and strengthen our capabilities,and to fundamentally drive our investmentstrategy.

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As we contemplate more than a decade ofunprecedented success using air and spacepower, we recognize that we never fightalone. The emerging interdependence ofjoint, coalition, and alliance partnershipsthroughout a decade of contingency warfarehas been a profound lesson learned.Through cooperative planning, we willrealize the full potential of our Service—bringing to bear fully integrated air andspace capabilities.

It is our imperative to approach this planningand integration with innovation and vision,fundamentally focused on capabilities. Allof the armed forces are focusing on meetingthe Quadrennial Defense Review’s “1-4-2-1”force-shaping construct, by defining thefundamental capabilities required to meetthe challenges of a changing world. Theseare: to defend the United States throughHomeland Security; to deter aggression

and coercion in the four critical regions ofEurope, Northeast Asia, Southwest Asiaand the Asian littorals; to swiftly defeataggression in overlapping major conflictswhile being capable of decisive victory inone of those conflicts; and to conduct anumber of smaller scale contingencies. Arevitalized, capabilities-focused approach tooperational military requirements will allowus to meet these missions.

Our focus on capabilities for an uncertainfuture has inspired us to adapt anew theway we organize, train, and equip our forces.We have begun by developing Task ForceConcepts of Operations (TF CONOPS),which will define how we will fight andintegrate our air and space capabilitieswith joint, coalition, and alliance forces.The requirements that emerge from theseoperational concepts will guide a reformedacquisition process that will include more

active, continuous partnerships amongrequirement, development, operational,test, and industry communities workingside-by-side at the program level frommethodical, sequential bombardment, tonear-immediate, simultaneous kinetic andnon-kinetic strikes on specific targets toachieve desired effects in joint warfighting.Significantly, these advances have alloweda measure of our combat success to evolvefrom—“number of sorties per target” to“number of targets per sortie.”

This process can only be successful with thehelp of a vibrant defense industry. Yet todaythe aerospace industry is consolidatingto a point that threatens to diminish theadvantages of competition. This, in turn,can lead to loss of innovation, diminishedtechnical skill base, lower cost efficiencies,

Airmen view the F/A–22 cockpit at Lockheed Martin inMarietta, GA.

and other challenges. We must fosterincreased competition to ensure the long-termhealth of an industrial sector critical to ournational security. While the Air Force will

F/A–22 production line.

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An Air National Guard basic training class passes in reviewduring graduation ceremonies at Lackland AFB, TX.

Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps cadets set up tents atEllsworth AFB, SD. Tent construction helps build teamworkamong cadets. The cadets receive training in leadership, weapons,and survival.

continue to advance the vision and associatedcapabilities for air and space, we also mustchallenge industry in order for it to stay onthe cutting edge of technology and efficientmanagement practices.

Finally, transforming our force will not bepossible without a process to educate, train,and offer experience to the right mix ofActive Duty, Air National Guard, Air ForceReserve, and Civilian airmen who understandthe nature of our changing securityenvironment. To achieve this, wewill evolve what we have traditionallycalled the “personnel” function in newways so as to blend Professional MilitaryEducation, advanced academic degrees,and assignment policies under the auspicesof “Force Development.”

This is the United States Air Force in 2003—inherently innovative, tirelessly dedicated,and comprised of the very best airmen andcapabilities in the world to ensure Americansecurity and defend her interests. This is whatour nation expects, and we will continuallymeet that expectation.

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WHAT WE DOThe United States armed forces exist to fightand win our nation’s wars, which no servicecan accomplish alone. The Air Force’s pivotalrole is to deliver fully capable and integratedair and space power to the Joint ForceCommander (JFC). By dominating the mediaof elevation, the Air Force offers uniquewarfighting capabilities that leverage thestrengths of surface forces and expand therange of potential effects.

Air and space are realms with unlimitedhorizons for discovery and development.While the Air Force has made tremendousstrides in realizing the visions of earlyairmen and exploiting the operationalpotential in each medium, we know there isan array of capabilities as yet undiscovered.As the Air Force strives to realize thesepossibilities, we deliver a multitude of air andspace achievements for joint warfighting.

Although relatively short, Air Force historyreveals fundamental competencies that arecore to developing and delivering air and

space power—those unique institutionalqualities that set the Air Force apart from theother services and any other military forcein the world. By identifying and keepingthese competencies foremost in our vision,we are able to more effectively advance theunique capabilities, as well as the ultimateeffects, the Air Force provides to the jointforce and the Nation.

The Air Force continually develops areasof expertise that make us the preeminentair and space force in the world. Previously,we distilled these into six distinctivecapabilities which we referred to asour “core competencies”—Air and SpaceSuperiority, Global Attack, Rapid GlobalMobility, Precision Engagement, InformationSuperiority, and Agile Combat Support.However, just as our concepts of operationsand capabilities continuously evolve, soalso does the way in which we articulate AirForce competencies. With deeper refinement,we learned there are more fundamentalelements to what we are as an Air Forceand how we develop our capabilities forjoint warfighting. These are our underlying

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institutional air and space core competencies—those that, in fact, make the six distinctivecapabilities possible: Developing Airmen,Technology-to-Warfighting, and IntegratingOperations. These three air and space corecompetencies form the basis through whichwe organize, train, and equip and fromwhich we derive our strengths as a service.

Developing AirmenThe heart of combat capability

The ultimate source of air and space combatcapability resides in the men and womenof the Air Force. The potential of technology,organization, and strategy are diminishedwithout professional airmen to leverage theirvalue. Our Total Force of Active, Guard,Reserve, and Civilian personnel are ourlargest investment and most critical asset.They are airmen: steeped in our expeditionaryService ethos. Therefore, from the momentthey step into the Air Force through totheir last day in service, we are dedicated toensuring they receive the precise education,training, and professional development

necessary to provide a quality edge secondto none. The full spectrum capabilities ofour Air Force stem from the collective abilitiesof our personnel; and the abilities of ourpeople stem from career-long developmentof professional airmen.

Technology-to-WarfightingThe tools of combat capability

The vision of airmen in employing air andspace power fundamentally altered how weaddress conflict. As the leader in militaryapplication of air and space technology,the Air Force is committed to innovationand possesses a vision to guide research,development, and fielding of unsurpassedcapabilities. Just as the advent of aircraftrevolutionized joint warfighting, recentadvances in low observable technologies,space-based systems, manipulation ofinformation, precision, and small, smartweapons offer no less dramatic advantagesfor combatant commanders. The Air Forcenurtures and promotes its ability to translatevision into operational capability in order

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to produce desired effects. Our innovativeoperational concepts illuminate thecapabilities we need, allowing us to developunsurpassed capabilities to prevail in conflictand avert technological surprise.

The F/A–22 is demonstrative of this ability toadapt technology to warfighting capabilities.Originally envisioned as an air superiorityfighter, it has been transformed into a multi-role system. The F/A–22 not only bringsto bear warfighting capabilities withoutequal for decades to come, but also includesthose we did not foresee at its inception.Collectively, the platform’s supercruise,stealth, maneuverability, and novel avionicswill deliver the ability to create crucialbattlefield effects to the hands of thewarfighter, and allow access to revolutionaryconcepts of operations.

Integrating OperationsMaximizing combat capabilities

Effectively integrating the diverse capabilitiesfound in all four services remains pivotal tosuccessful joint warfighting. The Air Forcecontributes to this enduring objective aseach element of air and space power bringsunique and essential capabilities to thejoint force. Our inherent ability to envision,

experiment, and ultimately execute the unionof a myriad of platforms and people intoa greater, synergistic whole is the key tomaximizing these capabilities. In so doing,we are able to focus acquisition and forceplanning on systems that enable specific,effects-based capabilities, rather than onindividual platforms.

Embedded in our exploration of innovativeoperational concepts is the efficient integrationof all military systems—air, land, maritime,space, and information—to ensure maximumflexibility in the joint delivery of desired

During Bosnia operations, we quickly fitted the Predator with sensors, coupling existing technology with a relatively new platform.Subsequently in Afghanistan, we expanded Predator capabilities by adding air-to-ground ordnance and linking it to other systemssuch as the AC–130 gunship. Within three months and within budget, the Predator engaged in combat.

Inside the Integrated Battlespace Arena, Michelson Laboratory,China Lake CA, warfighters keep a close eye on screens showinga real-time picture of theater air assets and a live feed from aPredator surveillance aircraft during Millennium Challenge 2002.

effects across the spectrum of conflict, fromwar to operations short of war. However,effective integration involves more thansmart technology investment—it also requiresinvestigation of efficient joint and serviceorganization and innovative operationalthinking. Thus, investments in our peopleto foster intellectual flexibility and criticalanalysis are equally as important as ourtechnology investments.

Collectively, our air and space corecompetencies reflect the visions of theearliest airmen and serve to realize thepotential of air and space forces. We fosteringenuity and adventure in the developmentof the world’s most professional airmen.We seek to translate new technologiesinto practical systems while we encourageintellectual innovation at every level of war.And, we drive relentlessly toward integrationin order to realize the potential andmaturation of air and space capabilities.

Our proficiency in the three institutional airand space core competencies underpins ourability to deliver the Air Force’s six distinctivecapabilities in joint warfighting. In turn,our capabilities enable desired effects acrossthe spectrum of joint operations throughour task forces drawn from our air and spaceexpeditionary forces. The results of thisrelationship between core competencies,distinctive capabilities, and operational

effects are manifest in the array of successfulmissions the Air Force accomplished in thepast year and those we continue to execute.

Expeditionary Construct

Our core competencies reflect a legacy ofinnovation and adaptation to accomplishour mission. This point is underscored bythe fact that, in spite of over a 30% reductionin manpower in the past twelve years,we have faced an exponential increase inworldwide taskings. Intensifying operationstempo (OPSTEMPO) requires significantchanges in the way our force trains, organizes,and deploys to support JFC requirements. Weare a truly expeditionary force—the nature ofour “business” is deployed operations.

The Air Force meets JFC requirements bypresenting forces and capabilities throughour Air and Space Expeditionary Force (AEF)construct. This divides our combat forcesinto ten equivalent AEFs, each possessingair and space warfighting and associatedmobility and support capabilities. Akey element of our ability to deliver thesetailored and ready expeditionary forces isour development of Task Force Concepts of

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Operations. Our TF CONOPS describe howwe fight and how we integrate with oursister services and outside agencies. Theyare the fundamental blueprints for howwe go to war. Combined with our AEFconstruct—the principle tool we use topresent expeditionary wings, groups, andsquadrons—TF CONOPS will guide ourdecisions in operational planning, enable usto provide scaleable, quick-reacting, tasked-organized units from the ten standingAEFs; and sustain our ability to ensuretrained and ready forces are available tosatisfy operational plans and contingencyrequirements.

The AEF construct incorporates a 15-monthcycle during which two AEFs are designatedas lead for a 90-day “eligibility” period.During this period, the two are eitherdeployed or on alert for daily, worldwideexpeditionary taskings, for which theyare tailored and presented to the JFC asexpeditionary squadrons, groups, and wings(depending on the specific requirement).Meanwhile, the remaining eight AEFs are

in various stages of reconstituting, training,or preparatory spin-up. It is during thispreparatory time (approximately twomonths) that we integrate the training-to-taskof AEF squadrons immediately prior to theiron-call window.

Yet, it is important to note that while ourcombat forces cycle through deploymentvulnerability periods, they sustain wartimereadiness throughout the 15-month trainingand preparation cycle—a critical driver ofour 90-day eligibility window. Our AEFcycle thus precludes the need for “tiered”readiness by allowing our combat forcesto remain current and capable for anycontingency or operational plan.

While ensuring necessary capabilities forthe JFC, AEF cycles allow us to provide ourairmen with a more stable and predictableenvironment in which to train, re-fit, andequip. In addition, AEF scheduling makesit easier and more practicable for the Air

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Reserve Component (ARC) forces—AirForce Reserve Command (AFRC) and AirNational Guard (ANG)—to bring theiressential contributions to bear by allowingthem to plan definitive absences fromtheir civilian employment. This is a criticaladvantage of the AEF construct, as ARCforces comprise nearly half of the forcesassigned to AEFs and contribute the majorityof forces for some mission areas.

Operations in 2002

Confident in our air and space capabilities,and committed to meeting any missiontasked, the Air Force completed anunprecedented array of operations andexercises in 2002. From the mountainranges in Afghanistan and the jungles ofthe Philippines to the deserts of the MiddleEast, and across every continent and bodyof water, the Air Force joined with land andnaval forces to secure America’s national

objectives. With each mission, the joint forcegrows more capable as it applies vision,experimentation, and integration to everyundertaking. We do not act as individualservices, but in concert as joint warfighters,as we prevail in the war on terrorism and inall undertakings.

Assuring our nation’s citizens, the Air Forceconducts a range of alert postures involvingmore than 200 military aircraft at over 20airbases for Operation NOBLE EAGLE(ONE). In conjunction with unprecedentedNATO airborne warning support and otherU.S. assets, we have provided continuouscombat air patrols over sensitive/highrisk areas, and random patrols over othermetropolitan areas and key infrastructure.Last year, we flew over 25,000 ONEfighter, tanker, airlift and airbornewarning sorties, made possible onlythrough the mobilization of over 30,000A loadmaster on a C–17 guides equipment onto his plane at

Willow Grove Air Reserve Station.

Operation NOBLE EAGLEOver 200 Air Force aircraft are involved daily securing America’sskies—to date, we have flown over 25,000 fighter, tanker, airlift,and AWACS sorties.

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reserve component airmen. In fact, theANG and AFRC have effected over 75% ofthe total ONE missions. We will continuethis critical mission, as we execute our mostfundamental responsibility—homelanddefense.

Throughout Operation ENDURINGFREEDOM (OEF), the USAF has maintaineda continuous, steady-force presence inAfghanistan and the rest of the area ofresponsibility of more than 14,000 airmen.Air Force assets provide crucial intelligenceand situation awareness, combat powerand support capabilities for the combatantcommander. A key reason for Americanmilitary success in the region is theperformance of Air Force special operationsairmen. Working in teams with otherspecial forces, ground units, and coalitionelements, airmen special operatorsheroically bring to bear the full weight of airand space capabilities—from the ground.They introduce our adversaries to the fulllethality of our airmen, fully integrated onthe ground, in the air, and from space.

Fully engaged in all aspects of the waron terrorism, from mobility to close airsupport, our aircraft and crews flew morethan 40,000 OEF sorties in 2002— over 70percent of all coalition sorties. Over 8,000refueling missions marked the linchpincapability for the joint fight—the tankerforce—while the magnificent achievementsof airlift assets rounded out overwhelmingmobility efforts. Simply put, Air Forcemobility forces made operations in a distant,land-locked nation possible.

Beyond air operations, we operated andmaintained several constellations of earth-orbiting satellites, and in 2002 we launched18 missions with a 100 percent successrate—including the first space launchesusing Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicles.These activities bolstered America’s assured

access to space and ensured vigorous, globalintelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance(ISR), missile warning, precision navigationand timing, communications, and weathersystems. In addition, manned, unmanned,and space ISR assets not only deliveredunprecedented battlefield awareness, butwith the Predator unmanned aerial vehicle(UAV), also introduced transformationalcombat capabilities.

ONE and OEF levied particularly heavydemands on our security forces. In CONUSand forward locations, increased alertpostures warranted significant increases insecurity personnel who constitute a criticalelement of our force protection capabilities.These demands have raised our forceprotection posture worldwide and haveforced us to adjust to a new “steady state”condition. Security forces bear the bruntof the adjustment effort despite a resultantbaseline shortfall of approximately 8,000personnel to meet the alert postures. In thenear term, we involuntarily extended fora second year nearly 9,500 ARC securityforces. However, in order to relieve theseARC forces, we concluded a two-yearagreement with the Army for short-termsupport, and initiated several ongoingefforts to combine technology, new processes,and some manpower shifts to achieve along-term adjustment to this new era.

Operation ENDURING FREEDOMOver 250 Air Force aircraft are committed daily for combat andsupport mission for the Global War on Terrorism,—to date wehave flown over 40,000 sorties.

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As we adjust, we continue to deliver forceprotection through the integrated applicationof counter and antiterrorism operations,and preparedness for chemical, biological,radiological, nuclear, and explosive (CBRNE)incidents. We employ a tailored selectionand application of multi-layered active andpassive, offensive and defensive measures.Intelligence and counterintelligence programssupport this integrated effort and remaincritical to our success. In this regard, wecontinued to develop and employ all-sourceintelligence systems; cross-functionalintelligence analysis procedures; and anoperational planning process to implementForce Protection operations that deter, detect,deny, and destroy threats. Our goal is to seefirst, understand first, and act first.

Though engaged in these securityenhancements and the global war onterrorism, our combat operations were notlimited to OEF in 2002. Iraqi forces fired oncoalition aircraft over 400 times during 14,000sorties supporting Operations NORTHERNWATCH (ONW) and SOUTHERN WATCH(OSW). The Air Force maintained a continuous,regional presence of more than 9,000 airmen,while air and space assets provided vitalintelligence, situation awareness, andindications and warning to monitor Iraq’scompliance with United Nations’ directives.

Whether on the ground or in the skies,our airmen also conducted a host of othermissions above-and-beyond standing securityrequirements around the globe. Even though

2002 Global Expeditionary Operations

• Afghanistan • Aruba • Australia • Bahrain • Belgium• Bosnia and Herzegovina • British Indian Ocean Territory• Bulgaria • Canada • Chile • Colombia • Croatia • Cuba• Cyprus • Djibouti • Ecuador • Egypt • El Salvador • Estonia• France • Germany • Greece • Guam • Haiti • Honduras• Hong Kong • Hungary • Iceland • Indonesia • Israel • Italy• Jamaica • Japan • Jordan • Kazakhstan • Kenya • Kuwait• Kyrgyzstan • Lithuania • Macedonia • Malaysia • Mexico• Micronesia • Morocco • Mozambique • Netherlands• New Zealand • Nicaragua • Niger • Norway • Oman• Pakistan • Paraguay • Peru • Philippines • Poland • Portugal• Puerto Rico • Qatar • Romania • Saudi Arabia • Sierra Leone• Singapore • South Africa • South Korea • Spain • Sweden• Tajikistan • Thailand • Tunisia • Turkey • Turkmenistan• Uganda • United Arab Emirates • United Kingdom• Uruguay • Uzbekistan • Venezuela • Yemen • Zambia• Zimbabwe

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“The Air Force really came through for us…I can’t thank themenough...I don’t think people realize what our Air Force cando for us. It’s not just going to war. It’s helping citizens in need...in cases like this with search and rescue.”Anna Maria Swann, wife of commercial fisherman Mike Swann,rescued by the 920th Rescue Group from Patrick AFB, FL.

C–130s equipped with modular airbornefire fighting systems flew nearly 200 sortieswhile assisting U.S. Forest Service firefightingefforts in numerous states. In addition,when Hurricane Lili endangered Louisiana,Air Force aeromedical and critical careforces rolled in with C–9 aircraft to transportand safeguard 40 patients from threatenedhospitals.

An F–16CJ “Wild Weasel”from the 13th FighterSquadron, Misawa Air Base,Japan, pulls away from therefueling boom of a KC–135RStratotanker assigned to theNew Jersey Air NationalGuard over western Turkey.Both aircraft flew missionsin support of OperationNORTHERN WATCH.

the war on terrorism is our national militaryfocus, airmen joined soldiers, sailors, andmarines in the Balkans, South America,Europe, Asia, and around the world toassure our friends and allies, while deterringand dissuading our adversaries.

Worldwide humanitarian and non-combatevacuation operations missions remainother key tasks for Air Force personnel. In2002, for example, airlift crews exceeded 2.4million airdropped daily ration deliveries inAfghanistan, evacuated allied personnel atthreatened locations around the world, andflew typhoon relief missions to Guam, whileour explosive ordnance specialists removedunexploded munitions in Africa. Yet, whileconducting unprecedented food, medical,and civil engineering and evacuation reliefefforts in warring regions, we were alsoon call to perform critical, quick-responsemissions during natural or man-made crisesat home. Through explosive ordnancedisposal, fire fighting, law enforcementsupport, and rapid medical responseexpertise, we conducted daily operations insupport of local, state, and federal agencies.During the wildfire season, ANG and AFRC

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Training Transformation

Training is a unique American militarystrength. As potential adversaries work toovercome our technological superiority, it isimperative we enhance this strength throughimproved proficiency at the tactical leveland integration at the joint level. Trainingis integral to our core competencies andthe critical enabler for military capabilities,so we are engaged with the other services,unified commands, and Office of the Secretaryof Defense in developing and implementinga training transformation plan. Our objectiveis to train as we will fight, and increasethe joint context of our exercises throughlive, virtual, distributed, and constructiveenvironments. It is the realism of thistraining that gives us the edge in combat.This involves not only modernizing theintegration of space and informationoperations on our ranges, but also planningfor their sustainment to meet future test andtraining missions while implementingenvironmentally sound use and management

to ensure long term availability. Additionally,to expand range support for current andemerging missions, we are embarkingon a new effort to identify and procureenvironmental, airspace, and spectrumresources at home and abroad. Balancingcompeting economic and environmentalneeds for these resources is a growingchallenge we face with our regulatory andcommunity partners. To support this effort,DoD developed the Range and ReadinessPreservation Initiative. This legislationrecommends clarification to environmentallaws that, as currently written and interpreted,can adversely affect resources available tosupport training activities at ranges.

Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Exercises,Interoperability Training, andExperimentation

We advanced joint and combinedinteroperability skills with our sister servicesand those of 104 nations throughout 111JCS exercises and Joint Task Force (JTF)

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experimentation, conducted in 40 foreigncountries. Exercises ranged from large fieldtraining such as BRIGHT STAR, to commandpost exercises like POSITIVE RESPONSE, tosmaller, but equally valuable, humanitarianexercises, as in the school construction, welldrilling, and medical clinic visits of NEWHORIZONS - JAMAICA. These activitiesprovided realistic training and enhanced theeffectiveness of all participating nations’ forces.

Task Force Enduring Look

Success in future operations hinges uponour ability to learn from previous operationsand exercises. To ensure we learn fromongoing operations and adapt accordingly, weestablished Task Force Enduring Look (TFEL).TFEL is responsible for Air Force-wide datacollection, exploitation, documentation, andreporting for our efforts in ONE/OEF. Theobjective for TFEL is clear—provide superiorsupport to the warfighter, and properlyrecognize and apply lessons learned—during

rather than only at the conclusion of theseoperations.

Through extensive investigation andanalysis, TFEL examines joint warfightingeffectiveness, determines implications, andshapes future Air Force transformation ofexpeditionary air and space power. The taskforce documents lessons learned in a varietyof products that cover every conceivablesubject matter. As derivative campaignsunfold, TFEL will broaden its assessmentsin follow-on reports. Applying the lessonsin these reports and adapting from our pastexperiences will help ensure we prevail infuture operations.

We are able to accomplish the full spectrumof air and space missions and improveour capabilities through lessons learned,by focusing on the best way to organize,train and equip. Creativity, ingenuity, andinnovation are the hallmarks of all that wedo, all of which begins with our people.

WHO WE ARE“No arsenal and no weapon in the arsenalsof the world is so formidable as the willand moral courage of free men and women.It is a weapon our adversaries in today’sworld do not have. It is a weapon thatwe as Americans do have.”

- President Ronald Reagan20 January 1981

America is blessed with vast resources, andchief among these is her people. In the sameway, the Air Force relies on the officers,enlisted, civilians, and contractors thatcomprise our Total Force—Active Duty,Guard and Reserve—for cultural strengthand unbridled skill. Air Force strengthwill never reside in systems alone, butin the airmen operating them. Nor willour capabilities improve solely throughtechnology, but instead through the adaptiveinsight of our creative and selflessprofessionals.

Therefore, we recruit and retain a remarkablydiverse group to ensure we reach the fullestpotential of air and space forces. Theirbackgrounds reflect the cross-section of

Senior Airman Kaehler, 48th Security Forces Squadron, a doghandler and her K–9, Harras, search packages at the post officefor bombs or other dangerous articles.

American culture—all races, religions,economic and educational backgrounds,skill and management levels, men andwomen—and make this Air Force thetremendous organization it is today. Justas diverse individual citizens find unityin the term “American,” our personnelembrace an identity and fundamentalperspective as “Airmen.”

The underlying qualities found in allairmen emanate from our core values—integrity first, service before self, andexcellence in all that we do.

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Embedded in these core values are theinherent characteristics of our confident,capable airmen—courage, tenacity,professionalism, vision, pride, and, whenfaced with seemingly insurmountableobstacles, heroism. Indeed, today’s airmencarry on the traditions and visions of theearliest generation of airmen while preparingfor the challenges of the future.

The diversity of our airmen energizes theadvancement of America’s air and spacepower. Airmen embrace transformationalideas and seek to apply them to everyaspect of the Air Force, from organizationalconstructs to concepts of operations andemployment. They are able stewards of thenation’s space programs, advancing ideasand technologies for national security, aswell as for the environmental and economic

benefit of our Nation and the world. Andyet, ultimately our standout advantage is ourwarrior airmen themselves, who demonstrateskills and dedication in combat unsurpassedby any in history. Whether maintaining safeskies across the United Nations’ sanctionedno-fly zone in Iraq, hunting down terroristsin the jungles of the Philippines, or payingthe ultimate price while rescuing fellowAmericans in a battle on an Afghan ridge,our airmen are proven combat veterans.Their selflessness resonates the very best ofour Service.

Airmen are expeditionary—our naturalstate of operations is not “home station,”but rather, deployed. After two successfulcycles, our AEF construct has been validatedas an effective means of meeting our nation’sexpeditionary requirements. Yet we continueto enhance the construct, by initiatingsignificant organizational change to ensurenearly every airman belongs to one of theten AEFs. The effect has been a change toour airmen’s mindset and culture, wherean individual’s AEF association cultivatesan expeditionary perspective and a clearerappreciation for joint warfighting requirementsand capabilities.

Force DevelopmentA New Leadership Development Paradigm

In the past, we addressed aspects of careerdevelopment, education, and assignmentsindividually, but not necessarily ina coordinated, connected approach.Recognizing this, and to prepare for thefuture more ably, we introduced a systemic,deliberate force development construct thatevolves professional airmen into joint forcewarriors. This construct coordinates doctrineand policies, concentrated to provide theright level, timing, and focus of education,training, and experience for all airmen,while encompassing personal, team, andinstitutional leadership skills across tactical,operational, and strategic levels.

1st Lieutenant Philips and Technical Sergeant Moyer from the961st Airborne Air Control Squadron, Kadena Air Base, Japan,work with 1st Lieutenant Suwanrui, from Koh Samui Island,Thailand, to monitor scopes aboard an E–3B Airborne Warningand Control Systems aircraft in support of a mission for ExerciseCOPE TIGER, Korat, Thailand.

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In support of Operation NORTHERN WATCH, Senior AirmanAvila, Jr., an intelligence applications journeyman, labors overhis maps at the Combined Air Operations Center at IncirlikAir Base, Turkey.

In the 21st Century, we need air and spacewarriors with mastery of their primaryskills and others who possess competencybeyond their own specialty. However,this diversity must be deliberate to ensurethe correct skills are paired accordingto institutional requirements. Forcedevelopment encourages many to obtaina deep perspective in their functional area,but at the same time offers the broaderperspective we need to complementour leadership team. We begin thistransformation with the Active Duty officercorps and will eventually encompass thecivilian, enlisted, and Reserve componentto better meet the expanding challenges oftomorrow.

Education and Technical TrainingEmphasis on Joint Leadership/Warfare

As opportunities resident in advancingtechnologies unfold, it is imperative thatthe Air Force be able to draw upon a vibrantcollection of educated, technically skilled,and technologically savvy airmen—both

Airmen from the 31st

Communications Squadron,Aviano Air Base, Italy,inspect the status of thebase communication system.

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uniformed and civilian alike. We areanswering this fundamental need in FiscalYear 2003 (FY03) with aggressive andinnovative initiatives to enhance the abilitiesand breadth of our force. Agile, flexibletraining is an essential investment in humancapital, and our initiatives will ensure ourinvestment delivers the right training to theright people at the right time.

In August 2002, we began our groundbreakingEnlisted-to-Air Force Institute of Technology(AFIT) Program. An initial cadre of seniorNCOs began receiving world-class, graduateeducation to optimize them for greaterresponsibilities and challenging follow-onassignments. We will also provide amajor influx of officers into AFIT, NavalPostgraduate School (NPS), and civilianinstitutions. In addition, because morethan 42% of our civilian force will beeligible for retirement in the next 5 years,we are committing significant resources topay for advanced education as well as cross-functional career broadening.

Future military missions and contingencieswill require greater sophistication andunderstanding of the security environment,and our expeditionary force requires airmenwith international insight, foreign languageproficiency, and cultural understanding.We are working diligently to expand thecadre of professionals with such skill setsand experiences. Our education initiativeswill contribute to a major corporate cultureshift that fosters appropriate developmentthroughout our airmen’s careers to meetevolving force requirements.

Diversity

Foremost among our efforts to enhancethe capabilities of our airmen is a passionatedrive for diversity. Diversity is a warfighting issue; it is a readiness issue. Wemust attract people from all segments of

American society and tap into the limitlesstalents and advantages resident in ourdiverse population if we hope to reach ourfullest potential as a fighting force. Nurturingrich representation from all demographicsopens the door to creativity and ingenuity,offering an unparalleled competitive edgefor air and space development. Today’smulti-threat world also mandates thatwe invigorate in our airmen the ability toeffectively think across cultural boundariesand functional paradigms (or stovepipes).We will thus recruit, train, and retain airmenwithout intellectual boundaries, uniquelycapable of integrating people, weapons,ideas, and systems to achieve air and spacedominance.

Recruiting

It takes tremendous effort to identify anddevelop such airmen, yet the return forthe nation is immeasurable. Increasedadvertising, an expanded recruiting forcewith broader access to secondary schoolstudents, and competitive compensationprepare us to meet recruiting goals. Despitethe challenge of mustering such a diverseand skilled collection of Americans, weexceeded our FY02 enlisted recruiting goalsand expect to surpass FY03 objectives.We will adapt our goals to meet new forceobjectives; however, the capacity limitations ofBasic Military Training and Technical TrainingSchool quotas will continue to challenge TotalForce recruiting efforts.

Officer recruitment presents similarchallenges, yet we continue to attractAmerica’s best and brightest. However,we are particularly concerned with militaryand civilian scientists and engineers. Wefell short of our accession goal for this groupand have begun all-out recruitment andretention efforts for these critical specialties.For example, in FY03 we plan to begin acollege sponsorship program to attract

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scientists and engineers from universitieslacking ROTC programs. In addition,we continue to find recruiting health careprofessionals especially difficult, so we aremaking adjustments to ensure improvement.

We will also closely monitor ARC recruitment.Historically, the ANG and AFRC accessclose to 25 percent of eligible, separatingActive Duty Air Force members (i.e.no break in service). Continued highOPSTEMPO may negatively impact ourefforts in attracting Air National Guardsmen,as well as drawing separating Active Dutyairmen to the Air Force Reserve. As aresult, recruiting will have to “make up”a substantial portion of accessions fromthat market by developing alternatives.

Retention

The Air Force is a retention-based force. Thecritical skill sets we develop in our airmenare not easily replaced, so we expend everyeffort to retain our people—the impetus forour “re-recruiting” efforts. Overall retentionplans include robust compensation packagesthat reward service, provide for a suitablestandard of living, ensure a high quality oflife, and retain the caliber of professionalswe need to decisively win America’s wars.

For FY02, it was difficult to calculateaccurate retention results due to Air Forceimplementation of Stop Loss. Nonetheless,we continue to reap the benefits of anaggressive retention program, aided bybonuses, targeted pay raises, and qualityof life improvements. Introducing theCritical Skills Retention Bonus for selectofficer specialties reinforces our commitmentto target specific skills suffering significantretention challenges. However, many airmenretained under Stop Loss will separatethroughout FY03—a fact of particular concernfor our rated force.

Bonuses and special pay programs continueto be effective tools in retaining our members.The ANG has placed particular emphasis onaircraft maintenance fields, security forces,and communication and intelligencespecialists, among others, by offeringenlistment and reenlistment bonuses,Student Loan Repayment Program, andthe Montgomery GI Bill Kicker Program.Another example is the flexible AviationContinuation Pay (ACP) program—animportant part of our multi-faceted plan toretain pilots. In conjunction with our ratedrecall program, our FY02 plan resulted in asubstantial increase in committed personnel.We have a similarly designed ACP program inFY03, and developed extensions to includenavigators and air battle managers.

SummaryRegardless of AEF deployment or homestation missions, our airmen accomplishtheir duties with firm commitment andresolute action. It’s what we do. It’s whowe are: a practical, technically sound,ingenious force of uniformed and civilianairmen derived from this richly diversenation to create the world’s premier air andspace power.

WHERE WE’RE GOINGThe first hundred years of poweredflight witnessed tremendous and enduringinnovation. We commemorate this centennialduring 2003 with the theme, “Born of Dreams,Inspired by Freedom,” which recognizes theremarkable accomplishments of generationsof airmen. Today’s airmen are equallyimpassioned to bring dreams to reality as wepursue our vision of tomorrow’s Air Force,“Unlimited Horizon.” Through this vision,we build a bridge from today’s existingcapabilities to those required to wintomorrow’s wars.

Ultimately our success will be measured byour ability to provide our forces with assuredfreedom to attack and freedom from attack.Achieving such victory in tomorrow’sbattlespace will demand our full integrationwith fellow services, allies, and coalitionpartners—an essential part of the

expeditionary construct. Through oursecurity cooperation efforts, we build theseinternational defense relationships and alliedcapabilities to ensure we have the access,interoperability, and international supportfor our worldwide commitments. Towardthis requirement, we are working with oursister services to develop truly joint conceptsof operation that integrate the full spectrumof land, sea, air, space, and informationwarfighting capabilities. When Americaplaces its men and women in uniforminto harm’s way, we owe them preeminentresources, planning, and organization toachieve victory over any adversary.

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Capabilities-Based CONOPS

While adapting to the new strategicenvironment, our principal focus has beentransitioning from a platform-based garrisonforce to a capabilities-based expeditionaryforce. No longer platform-centric, we arecommitted to making warfighting effects,and the capabilities we need to achievethem, the driving force behind our ongoingtransformation. From this point forward,all of our operational, programming, andbudget decisions will be supported by apredefined capability.

Our emerging TF CONOPS will help makethis essential shift by providing solutions toa variety of problems warfighters can expectto encounter in the future. Whether detailingour plans for operating in an anti-accessenvironment or identifying how to deliverhumanitarian rations to refugees, TFCONOPS lend focus on the essential elementsrequired to accomplish the mission. Theycover the complete spectrum of warfightingcapabilities (deep strike, information, urban,and psychological operations, etc.) and

enable us to tailor forces (expeditionarywings, groups, or squadrons) fromexisting AEFs to meet JFC’s requirements.Responsibility for CONOPS developmentfalls to the Major Commands, with a seniorofficer on the HQ/USAF Air Staff assigned toeach CONOPS to serve as their “Champion,”facilitating the process.

TF CONOPS directly support SecretaryRumsfeld’s efforts to free scarce resourcestrapped in bureaucracy and push them tothe warfighter. They will also be the focalpoint for a capabilities-based ProgramObjective Memorandum (POM). In supportof this effort, our Capabilities Review andRisk Assessment analyzes and assessesshortfalls, health, risks, and opportunities,while prioritizing required future capabilities.This helps CONOPS developers articulateany disconnects between required capabilitiesand developing programs, while providingsenior Air Force leadership an operational,capabilities-based focus for acquisitionprogram decision-making. TF CONOPSinclude:

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Global Strike Task Force (GSTF) employsjoint power-projection capabilities to engageanti-access and high-value targets, gainaccess to denied battlespace, and maintain

battlespace access for all required joint/coalition follow-on operations.

Global Response Task Force (GRTF) combinesintelligence and strike systems to attack

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Global Strike Task Force—creates access conditions for follow-on Forces.

D+0 to D+1: Initial ShockF/A–22s and B–2s kick down the door and build entry corridorsInformation Operations, combined withjoint forces and special ops, target key nodes

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fleeting or emergent, high-value or high-risktargets by surgically applying air and spacepower in a narrow window of opportunity,anywhere on the globe, within hours.

Homeland Security Task Force (HLSTF)leverages Air Force capabilities with jointand interagency efforts to prevent, protect,and respond to threats against our homeland—whether within or beyond U.S. territories.

Space and Command, Control,Communications, Computers, Intelligence,Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (Spaceand C4ISR) Task Force harnesses horizontalintegration of manned, unmanned, and spacesystems to provide persistent situationawareness and executable decision-qualityinformation to the JFC.

Global Mobility Task Force (GMTF)provides regional combatant commanders

with the planning, C2, and operationscapabilities to enable rapid, timely, andeffective projection, employment, andsustainment of US power in support of USglobal interests—precision delivery foroperational effects.

Nuclear Response Task Force (NRTF)provides the deterrent “umbrella” underwhich conventional forces operate, and, ifdeterrence fails, avails a rapid scalableresponse.

Air and Space Expeditionary CONOPS isthe overarching context, which identifiesand sequences distinctive capabilities andbroad-based functions that air and spacepower provide the JFC to generate desiredeffects for national military objectives.

The Air Force is transforming aroundthese Task Force Concepts of Operations.

Space & C4ISR Task Force—horizontal integration of manned, unmanned, and space systems.

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In addition to serving as a roadmap foroperators, the TF construct will form thebasis for resource allocation, future systemacquisitions, and POM submissions inorder to find capabilities-based solutionsto warfighter problems.

Science and TechnologyWellspring of Air and Space Capabilities

Reaching these warfighter solutionsrests in large measure with research anddevelopment. Through robust investmentand deliberate focus in science andtechnology (S&T), the Air Force invigoratesour core competency of technology-to-warfighting. Combined with innovativevision, S&T opens the direct route towardstransforming air and space capabilities.Therefore we continue long-term, stableinvestment in S&T to ensure we realizefuture capabilities, as well as those that mayimmediately affect existing systems.

We are improving our S&T planning andcollaboration with other services and agenciesto ensure we: 1) encourage an operationalpull that conveys to the S&T communitya clear vision of the capabilities we need forthe future; 2) address the full spectrum offuture needs in a balanced and well-thoughtout manner; and 3) enhance our abilityto demonstrate and integrate promisingtechnologies. Some of these newtechnologies—UAV systems, laser-basedcommunications, space-based radar, andothers—show clear promise for near-term,joint warfighting applications. Otherspresent opportunities we can only beginto imagine. We are exploring each of thesetechnologies, and our investment will deliverthe required capabilities of our CONOPS.

Executive Agent for Space

Embedded in all of our TF CONOPS, andindeed within most military operations, isan extensive reliance on systems resident in

space. The Air Force proudly fulfills the roleof Department of Defense Executive Agentfor Space with confidence and enthusiasm.Our ability to execute this tremendousresponsibility stems from a natural outflowof our core competencies and distinctivecapabilities. Accordingly, and in conjunctionwith the other services and agencies, we areshaping a new and comprehensive approachto national security space management andorganization.

Our capstone objective is to realize theenormous potential in the high groundof space, and to employ the full spectrumof space-based capabilities to enable jointwarfighting and to protect our nationalsecurity. The key to achieving this end iswholesale integration: through air, land, space,and sea; across legacy and future systems;

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among existing and evolving concepts ofoperations; and between organizations acrossall sectors of government. We will continue todeliver unity of vision, effort, and executionto fulfill our mission of delivering the mostadvanced space capabilities for America.

Drawing Effects from Space

Our horizon is truly unlimited, extendingbeyond the atmospheric environs of airpowerto the reaches of outer space. Our proud AirForce tradition of airpower is joined by anequally proud and continually developingtradition of space power.

In the early days of the space age, only thoseat the strategic level received and exploitedthe benefits of space capabilities. Thecurrent state of affairs, however, is decidedlydifferent. The former distinctions betweenclassified and unclassified programs amongmilitary, civil, and commercial applicationsare growing increasingly blurred—in somecases, they are virtually seamless. In short,space capabilities now are woven deeplyinto the fabric of modern society, and theyhave altered forever the way we fight wars,defend our homeland, and live our lives.

It is in this context and this understanding ofthe widespread and increasing importance ofspace systems that we strive to meet presentand future national security challenges byproviding dominant space capabilitiesthat will:

■ Exploit Space for Joint Warfighting:Space capabilities are integral to modernwarfighting forces, providing criticalsurveillance and reconnaissanceinformation, especially over areas ofhigh risk or denied access for airborneplatforms. They provide weather and

other earth-observation data, globalcommunications, precision navigationand guidance to troops on the ground,ships at sea, aircraft in flight, andweapons enroute to targets. All of thesecapabilities, and more, make possible thetremendous success our joint warfightersachieve during combat operations.

We will enhance these existing capabilitiesand, where it makes sense, pursuenew ones such as the TransformationalCommunications System (TCS), whichwill strive to dramatically increasebandwidth and access for warfighters;and Space Based Radar, whichwill complement the airborne JointSurveillance Target and Attack RadarSystem (JSTARS) while migrating GroundMoving Target Indicators (GMTI) intospace. We will also develop methodsand technologies to enhance our nation’sability to conduct rapid and accurateglobal strike operations anywhere inpursuit of US interests.

■ Pursue Assured Access to Space: Wecannot effectively exploit space for jointwarfighting if we do not have responsive,reliable, and assured access to space. InAugust 2002, the new Evolved ExpendableLaunch Vehicle got off to a strong startwith the successful launch of LockheedMartin’s Atlas V booster. Boeing’s DeltaIV program added to the nation’s quiverof modern launch vehicles with liftoff inNovember. We will also pursue advancedand highly versatile reusable launchersand small expendables with extremelyshort response times to achieve long-termassured access, while taking the necessarysteps to maintain and improve our spacelaunch infrastructure.

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■ Preserve our Freedom to Act in Space:We must be able to act freely in space, orrisk losing those capabilities essential tojoint warfighting. We initiated efforts toincrease our space situation awareness,beginning with the new Space SituationAwareness Integration Office at Air ForceSpace Command, and a similar programat the Space and Missile Systems Center.Future efforts are planned to developstrategy, doctrine, and programs toimprove the protection of our own spacecapabilities while denying the benefits ofjoint space capabilities to our adversaries.

As it is with all Air Force capabilities, themost important resource for national spacecapabilities is neither technological norfiscal—it is human. Our Space ProfessionalStrategy fulfills a Space Commissionrecommendation to develop spaceprofessionals and nurture a cadre to leadour national security space endeavorsat all levels in the decades ahead. Thesespace-expert airmen will be the core stewardsof space operations, and shoulder theresponsibility for aggressively advancingjoint warfighting capabilities into the highground frontier.

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Horizontal Integration of Manned,Unmanned, and Space Assets

The essence of transformation is foundin leveraging the nation’s technologicaldominance to create maximum asymmetricaladvantage. Airmen seek unrestrictedboundaries when looking at war planningfrom a theater-wide perspective, or talkingabout national elements of power. Simplystated, it is in the way we think—we musttake advantage of it.

Our foremost objective is to develop thecapability to conduct rapid and preciseoperations to achieve desired effects andshape the battlespace for the joint force.This requires interfacing numerous DoD andnational assets—the seamless, horizontalintegration of manned, unmanned, andspace-based systems. An essential elementis designing systems that use digital-level,machine-to-machine conversations to expeditedata flow and ensure the JFC receives

timely, decision-quality information. Suchintegration will dramatically shorten thefind, fix, track, target, engage, and assess(F2T2EA) cycle. In the end, we know thatneither JFC’s guiding operations, nor specialoperators putting iron on targets, care whatsource provides the data. It is an effect theyseek, and what we will provide.

Key to the warfighter’s success is PredictiveBattlespace Awareness (PBA). PBA requiresin-depth study of an adversary well beforehostilities begin. Ultimately we wantto be able to anticipate his actions to themaximum extent possible. PBA-derivedinsights allow us to utilize critical ISR assetsfor confirmation rather than pure discoveryonce hostilities begin. We are then ableto analyze information to assess currentconditions, exploit emerging opportunities,anticipate future actions, and act with adegree of speed and certainty unmatchedby our adversaries.

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Along this path, we are transitioningfrom collecting data through a myriad ofindependent systems (Rivet Joint, AWACS,JSTARS, space-based assets, etc) to a Multi-sensor Command and Control Constellation(MC2C) capable of providing the JFC withreal-time, enhanced battlespace awareness.Today, this transition is restricted by thenecessity to rely on Low Density/HighDemand (LD/HD) C4ISR assets. Thelimitation inherent in LD/HD platformsforces us to shift their exploitation capabilitiesbetween theaters to cover emerging globalthreats and events. This sub-optimizesoverall battlespace awareness and limits ourefforts at predictive analysis. In the interim,responsive space-based ISR assets will helpmitigate our over-stressed LD/HD systems.Yet ultimately, we need a synergisticcombination of military and commercialassets, advanced data processing capabilities,and assured reachback to achieve truebattlespace awareness.

In the future, a single wide-body platformemploying tunable antennas and sensors—Multi-sensor Command and ControlAircraft (MC2A)—will replace many ofthe C4ISR functions of today’s specialized,but independent assets. Air, ground,and space assets will comprise theMC2C, which will elevate Joint ForcesAir Component Commanders’ ability tocommand and control air assets. Additionally,every platform will be a sensor on theintegrated network. Regardless of missionfunction (C2, ISR, shooters, tankers, etc),any data collected by a sensor will be passedto all network recipients. This requiresnetworking all air, space, ground, and sea-based ISR systems, command and control(C2) nodes, and strike platforms, to achieveshared battlespace awareness and a synergyto maximize our ability to achieve the JFC’sdesired effects.

Uniting joint and coalition informationpresents the most difficult challenge inproviding one common operational picturefor key decision makers. We are workingclosely with our sister services to eliminatethe seams between existing systems andtaking the necessary steps to ensure allfuture acquisitions are planned and fundedto meet the interoperability requirements offuture joint CONOPS.

A critical element of successful informationmerging is communications, as bandwidthis finite and requires careful management.Long-range or penetrating systems mustcommunicate beyond the horizon despiteadversaries’ attempts to exploit or interruptthese links. To counter disruption, all systemsmust be reliable, secure, and bandwidth-efficient. The PBA construct facilitates thisobjective by eliminating constrictive,stove-piped communications systems whileemphasizing networked operations.

We will realize the vision of horizontalintegration in our TF CONOPS. GSTF, forexample, will deliver the right-sized mixof assets with appropriate sensors capableof penetrating into enemy airspace. Suchsensors may be low observable and/orexpendable, mounted on either ISR platformsor imbedded into strike platforms. Sensorsmay consist of special operations forces,inserted before the commencement ofhostilities, who communicate with attackplatforms during combat via secure electronicwriting tablets, annotating targets andthreats on the imagery display with a stylus.As technology progresses, and where itmakes sense, a significant portion of ISRfunctionality will likely migrate to space,affording 24/7 persistence and penetration.Likewise, advanced defensive counterspacecapabilities will afford these systemsprotection from enemy actions.

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Combining manned, unmanned, and space-based assets with dynamic C2 and PBAtransforms disparate collection and analysisactivities into a coherent process, allowingthe warfighter to make timely, confident,and capable combat decisions. This is whatthe Air Force brings to the joint fight. It iswhat air and space warriors are all about.We unlock the intellectual potential ofairmen who think across the dimensions of

mediums and systems capabilities, for thejoint warfighter.

Addressing the Recapitalization Challenges

Despite new CONOPS and visions for futurecapabilities, we cannot rely on intellectualflexibility to eradicate the challenge of oldsystems and technologies. Though creativitymay temporarily reduce the negative impactsof aging systems on our operational options,ultimately there are impassable limits createdby air and space system hardware issues.

We have made tremendous strides inmodernizing and improving maintenanceplans for our aircraft; however, the tyrannyof age has introduced new problems for oldaircraft. Reality dictates that if we completelyenhance the avionics and add new enginesto 40-year-old tankers and bombers, they

Corrosion issues such as this KC–135 engine strut (left) highlightthe challenges experienced by the Air Force’s aging aircraft fleet.

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are still 40-year-old aircraft, and subject tofleet-threatening problems such as corrosionand structural failure.

This is equally true for our fighter aircraft,where once cutting-edge F–117s now averageover 15-years of age, and mainstay air-dominance F–15Cs are averaging nearly20-years of service. With double-digitsurface-to-air missile systems, next-generation aircraft, and advanced cruisemissile threats proliferating, merelymaintaining our aging fighter and attackaircraft will be insufficient. In fact, thedramatic advances offered in many of ourTF CONOPs cannot be realized withoutthe addition of the unique capabilitiesincorporated in the F/A–22. Simplystated, our legacy systems cannot ensureair dominance in future engagements—thefundamental element for joint force access Structural failure (as seen on this F–15) remind us of the

tremendous stress on our warfighting systems, many of whichhave exceeded their planned service life.

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and operations. We will thus continueexecutive oversight of F/A–22 acquisitionin order to ensure program success. Whilekeeping our funding promises, we willprocure the only system in this decadethat puts munitions on targets, and whichis unequally capable of detecting andintercepting aircraft and cruise missiles.

Although ultimately solving theserecapitalization challenges requiresacquisition of new systems, we will continueto find innovative means to keep currentsystems operationally effective in the nearterm. We know that just as new problemsdevelop with old systems, so too do newopportunities for employment, such as ouremployment of B–1s and B–52s in a closeair support role during OEF. We will alsopursue new options for these long-rangestrike assets in a standoff attack role forfuture operations.

Unlike with the aforementioned air-breathingassets, we cannot make service life extensionsor other modifications to our orbiting spacesystems. Satellites must be replaced regularlyto account for hardware failures, upgradetheir capabilities, and avoid significantcoverage gaps. Additionally, we mustimprove outmoded ground control stations,enhance protective measures, continue toaddress new space launch avenues, andaddress bandwidth limitations in orderto continue leveraging space capabilitiesfor the joint warfighter. We are exploringalternatives for assuring access to space, anda key aspect of this effort will be invigoratingthe space industrial base.

Finally, it is imperative that we address thegrowing deficiencies in our infrastructure.Any improvements we may secure for our airand space systems will be limited without acommensurate address of essential supportsystems. Deteriorated roofs, waterlines,electrical networks, and airfields are just some

of the infrastructure elements warrantingimmediate attention. Our ability to generateair and space capabilities preeminently restswith the ingenuity of visionary ideas, yetintellectual versatility must be supported byviable systems and structures to realize ourService potential.

Organizational Adaptations

Commensurate with our drive to enhance airand space capabilities is our identification anddevelopment of organizational structuresto aid these advances. In 2002, we initiatednumerous adaptations to more efficientlyand effectively exploit Air Force advantagesfor the joint warfighter.

Warfighting Integration Deputate

Comprehensive integration of the Air Force’sextensive C4ISR systems is paramount forour future capabilities. This requires anenterprise approach of total information-cycle activities including people, processes,and technology. To achieve this, we createda new Deputy Chief of Staff for WarfightingIntegration (AF/XI), which brings togetherthe operational experience and the technicalexpertise of diverse elements (C4ISR, systemsintegration, modeling and simulation, andenterprise architecture specialties).

This new directorate will close the seamsin the F2T2EA kill chain by guiding theintegration of manned, unmanned, andspace C4ISR systems. AF/XI’s leadership,policy, and resource prioritization willcapitalize on the technologies, concepts ofoperations, and organizational changesnecessary to achieve horizontal integrationand interoperability.

Success has been immediate. AF/XI workedwith the Deputy Chief of Staff for Air andSpace Operations to champion increased AirOperations Center weapon system fundingin the FY04 POM, which accelerated the

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stabilization and standardization of theweapon system. Subsequently, the base-linedweapon system now has a modernizationplan, which is both viable and affordable.AF/XI also led analysis that highlightedimbalances among collection and exploitationcapabilities. As a result, we plan to accelerateground processing and exploitation capabilitieswithin the Future Years Defense Programto close the gap. Major contributions inmanagement of the complex informationenvironment will continue, as AF/XI makesbetter use of scarce resources, allowing theAir Force to provide the joint warfighter thecapabilities to dominate the battlespace.

Chief Information Officer (AF/CIO)

Partnered with AF/XI, the AF/CIOshares responsibility to spearhead thetransformation to an information-driven,network-centric Air Force. These twoorganizations orchestrate the integrationwithin our information enterprise, andestablish processes and standards toaccelerate funding and ensure prioritiesmatch our integrated information vision.

The AF/CIO’s specific mission is to promotethe most effective and efficient application,acquisition and management of informationtechnology resources under an enterprisearchitecture. The goal is to provide theroadmap for innovation and to functionas a blueprint for the overall leverage ofvaluable information technology. Enterprisearchitecture will use models and processesto capture the complex interrelationshipsbetween the Air Force’s systems andplatforms. A resultant example is basingInformation Technology (IT) investmentdecisions on sound business cases, approvedAir Force standards, and, ultimately,how a particular technology contributes tospecific capabilities. Additionally, we areinstitutionalizing enterprise architecting as akey construct in defining mission informationrequirements and promoting interoperability.

Currently, the wide variety of IT standardslimits C2 processes and information anddecision support to our warfighters. TheAF/CIO – AF/XI team is tackling this and allother integration challenges as they developan enterprise architecture that spans the entireAir Force, while also staying in harmony withother services’ efforts.

Blended Wing

We do nothing in today’s Air Force withoutGuard, Reserve and Civilian personnelworking alongside Active Duty airmen.A fundamental initiative of Air Forcetransformation is formalizing this integrationunder the Future Total Force (FTF). Aspart of the FTF, we are pursuing innovativeorganizational constructs and personnelpolicies to meld the components into a single,more homogenous force. FTF integrationwill create efficiencies, cut costs, ensurestability, retain invaluable human capital, and,above all, increase our combat capabilities.

An E–8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System pilotwears the unit patch for the new 116th Air Control Wing atRobins AFB, GA. The blended wing comprises both Air NationalGuard and Active Duty, and is the first step in the Future TotalForce mission.

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A key effort is to “blend,” where sensible,units from two or more components into asingle wing with a single commander. Thislevel of integration is unprecedented in any ofthe services, where Active Duty, Guard, andReserve personnel share the same facilitiesand equipment, and together, execute thesame mission. In essence, blending providestwo resource pools within a single wing—one, a highly experienced, semi-permanentReserve component workforce, offeringstability and continuity; the other, a forceof primarily Active Duty personnel able torotate to other locations as needs dictate.

The first blended wing opportunity arosewith the consolidation of the B1–B fleet.The move left behind an experienced butunderutilized pool of Guard personnel atRobins AFB, GA. Meanwhile, the collocated93rd Air Control Wing (ACW) (Active DutyE–8 Joint STARS), suffered from high tempoand low retention. Hence, Secretary Roche

directed that the two units merge, and on1 October 2002, the blended wing conceptbecame a reality with the activation of the116th ACW.

The 116th ACW tackled many pioneeringchallenges: from legal questionssurrounding the command of combinedActive-Reserve component units, toprogrammatic issues with funding theprogram from two separate accounts, tointegrating different personnel systemsused by each component. Airmen fromboth components are working throughthese issues successfully, making the116th an example for future FTF blending.Yet, some additional Title 10 and Title32 provisions still need to be changedto make the FTF a reality. Meanwhile,parallel efforts, such as placing Reservepilots and maintenance personnel directlyinto Active Duty flying organizationsunder the Fighter Associate Program, add

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wing will now have one individualresponsible for the full range of deploymentand employment tasks—the Mission SupportGroup Commander.

The restructuring will retain the OperationsGroup, however group commanders willbecome more active in the operational levelof war. Squadron commanders will be rolemodels for operators in the wings, ready tolead the first exercise and combat missions.Similarly, we will establish a maintenancegroup responsible for base-level weaponssystem maintenance and sortie productionrates. Like their operator counterparts,maintenance squadron and groupcommanders will be role models for allwing maintainers. Meanwhile, medicalgroups will retain their current organization,although we are working changes to homeand deployed medical operations for futureimplementation.

Flying and fixing our weapons systems, aswell as mission support, are essential skillsets. Each requires the highest expertise,proficiency and leadership. The new wingorganization allows commanders to fullydevelop within specific functional areas toplan and execute air and space power as

this leveraging of highly experiencedReservists to promote a more stable,experienced workforce.

As organizational constructs, blendingand associate programs lay an importantfoundation for a capabilities-based,expeditionary air and space force, whichare inherently flexible and ideal to meetrotational AEF requirements. In a resource-constrained environment, blending promotesefficiencies and synergies by leveragingeach component’s comparative strengths,freeing funds for modernization whilesustaining combat effectiveness, andeffecting warfighting capabilities greaterthan the sum of its parts.

Combat Wing

The comprehensive evaluations in ourongoing transformation include examiningour wing structure. Given all of the lessonsgleaned from expeditionary operations overthe past decades, we asked, “Could we deriveadvantages in revised wing organizationfor both force development and combatcapability?” The answer was “Yes,” and weenacted changes to create the Combat WingOrganization (CWO).

The central aspect of the CWO is the newMission Support Group. This will mergeformer support and logistics readiness groups,and contracting and aerial port squadrons,as applicable. Within this group, we willhone expeditionary skills from crisis actionplanning, personnel readiness, and workingwith the joint system for load planning anddeployment, to communications, contingencybed down, and force protection. Currently,all of these aspects exist in skill sets thatnone of our officers have in total. But the newexpeditionary support discipline will addressthis, and provide our officers the expertisein all aspects of commanding expeditionaryoperations. With this reorganization, each

Navy and Air Force doctors perform surgery while deployed insupport of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM.

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part of expeditionary units, while also givingmaintenance and support personnel focusedcareer progression. This re-organization doesnot fix something that is broken—it makes agreat structure exceptional.

Acquisition and Business Transformation

To achieve our vision of an agile, flexible,responsive, and capabilities-based air andspace force, we must transform the dailyoperations and enterprise processes thatprovide combatant commanders with airand space capabilities. An example of thisin action is the Air Force’s efforts to carryout the responsibilities of DoD SpaceMilestone Decision Authority (MDA). TheSecretary of the Air Force delegated thoseresponsibilities to the Under Secretaryof the Air Force, under whose leadershipimmediate benefit was realized. Adaptingan effective process already in use at theNational Reconnaissance Office (NRO),the Under Secretary instituted a newstreamlined space acquisition programreview and milestone decision-makingprocess. This new process was used forthe first time in August 2002 in developinga contract for the National Polar-orbitingOperational Environmental Satellite System.This effort creates an opportunity for theAir Force to apply performance and costaccountability to defense industrial firmsthrough their chief financial officers andboard of directors by linking executivecompensation to contract performance.

In addition to the major process changesfor DoD space, the Air Force’s BusinessTransformation Task Force directs andintegrates further process improvement andadaptation. Core business and operationssupport processes—such as acquisition,logistics, maintenance, training, medicaland dental, among others—are crucial,as they ultimately determine our overallenterprise effectiveness and directly sustain

combat capabilities. An additional categoryof processes called “enablers” completes theAir Force enterprise. Examples of “enablers”include management of human resources,finances, contracts, property plant andequipment, and information. The enablersare important as they facilitate our corecapabilities and determine the overallefficiency of our enterprise.

The Air Force will enact businesstransformation from an integrated enterpriseperspective, examining every processand associated link. Accordingly, we willemploy industry best practices and identifymanagement metrics to improve processefficiency without degrading our enterpriseeffectiveness; expand our customer’s self-service management capability and freeup needed resources for the operationalcommunities; and provide real-time,accurate financial data for better decisionmaking. Already, acquisition reform haseffected notable improvements, including:

■ Streamlined our acquisition andcontracting regulations, replacinglengthy prescriptive sets of rules withbrief documents that emphasize speed,innovation, sensible risk managementand elimination of time-consumingprocess steps that have little value. Aspreviously mentioned, our new NationalSecurity Space acquisition process is anexample of progress in this area.

■ Created a Program Executive Office forServices to bring new efficiency to thegrowing area of services contracts. Thiskey area, which accounts for nearly halfof our procurement budget, had no priorcentralized coordination and oversight.

■ Developed and initiated System Metricand Reporting Tool (SMART), puttingreal-time program status information

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SMART puts real-time program status

on everyone’s desktop. This web-basedapplication pulls data from dozens oflegacy reporting systems to give everyonefrom program managers up to seniorleadership direct visibility into the“health” of hundreds of acquisition andmodernization programs. When fullydeployed in FY03, it will automate thetedious and laborious process of creatingMonthly Acquisition Reports and possiblyDefense Acquisition Executive Summaryreporting to OSD.

■ Empowered “High Powered Teams” ofrequirements and acquisition professionalsto create spiral development plans todeliver initial capability to warfightersmore quickly, and add capabilityincrements in future spirals.

■ Designed a Reformed Supply SupportProgram to improve the spares acquisitionprocess by integrating the supportcontractor into the government supplysystem. Contractors now have the samecapability as government inventorycontrol points to manage parts, respond

to base level requisitions, track spareslevels, and monitor asset movement.

■ Continued, with OSD support, expansionof the Reduction in Total OwnershipCost (R-TOC) program, to identify criticalcost drivers, fund investments to addressthem, and generate cost savings and costavoidance. We also created standardprocesses and a business case analysismodel to use for initiatives within R-TOC.In FY03, OSD allocated $24.9M no-offsetinvestments to R-TOC that will return$53.2M through FY08. A planned $37.1Minvestment across the FYDP will savea projected $331M in operations andmaintenance through FY09.

These initiatives are only the beginning of acomprehensive and aggressive approach toreforming business practices. Our effortstoday will have a direct effect on efficient andeffective air and space capability acquisition,both immediately and in the future.

Ensuring Readiness

Integrating systems and expanding businesspractices will not only have dramatic effectson air and space capabilities, but also reducereadiness challenges. However, we still facedaunting, but surmountable, obstacles. Wemust overcome a multitude of installationsand logistical issues to secure flexibleand timely execution of expeditionaryrequirements for joint warfighting.

Reconstituting and reconfiguring ourexpeditionary basing systems and wartimestocks is a critical element of our forceprojection planning. While we madesignificant strides in funding, we requireadditional investments in bare base systems,vehicles, spares, munitions, and pre-positioning assets. Our infrastructure

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investment strategy focuses on threesimultaneous steps. First, we must disposeof excess facilities. Second, we must fullysustain our facilities and systems so theyremain combat effective throughout theirexpected life. Third, we must establish asteady investment program to restore andmodernize our facilities and systems, whileadvancing our ability to protect our peopleand resources from the growing threat ofterrorism at current, planned, and futureoperating locations—at home or abroad.

We are making progress. Improved vehiclefleet funding allowed us to replace someaging vehicles with more reliable assets,including alternative fuel versions to helpmeet federal fuel reduction mandates.Targeted efficiencies in spares managementand new fuels mobility support equipmentwill improve supply readiness. In addition,our spares campaign restructured ReadinessSpares Packages and repositioned assetsto contingency sites. Moreover, to increasemunitions readiness, we expanded our Afloat

Prepositioning Fleet capabilities, and continueacquiring a broad mix of effects-basedmunitions in line with the requirements ofall TF CONOPS.

Finally, our “Depot Maintenance Strategy andMaster Plan” calls for major transformationin financial and infrastructure capitalizationto ensure Air Force hardware is safe andready to operate across the threat spectrum.To support this plan, we increased fundingin FY04 for depot facilities and equipmentmodernization. We also began a significantpush to require weapon systems managersto establish their product support anddepot maintenance programs early in theacquisition cycle, and to plan and programthe necessary investment dollars requiredfor capacity and capability. Additionally,we are partnering with private industryto adopt technologies to meet capabilityrequirements. The results from these effortswill be enhanced, more agile warfightersupport through the critical enabler ofinfrastructure.

F–16 and C–130 aircraft get a top-to-bottom look during depot maintenance.

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Expanding AEF Personnel

The attacks of 9/11 significantly increasedworkload and stress in a number of missionareas for our expeditionary forces. Manningfor these operations is drawn fromour existing AEF packages. In orderto accommodate increased contingencyrequirements, we are exploring optionsto augment the existing AEF construct.Recent and ongoing efforts to maximize theidentification of deployable forces and alignthem with AEF cycle assisted in meetingimmediate critical war fighting requirements.However, some career fields remain seriouslystressed by the war on terrorism. Accordingly,our efforts focus on changing processes thatdrive requirements not tuned to our AEFrhythm. We developed formulas to measure,and gathered quantitative data to evaluate,the relative stress amongst career fields toredirect resources to the most critical areas.We also began a critical review of blue-suitutilization, to ensure uniformed airmenare used only where absolutely necessary,and maximize the use of the civilianand contract workforce for best servicecontribution and military essentiality.

We are refocusing uniformed manpowerallocation on our distinctive capabilitiesto reduce the stress on our active force.Additionally, we are carefully consideringtechnologies to relieve the increasedworkload. These efforts exist within ourlonger-term work to reengineer, transform,and streamline Air Force operations andorganizations, and have allowed us alreadyto realign some new recruits into our moststressed career fields.

Summary

As the two mediums with the mostundeveloped potential, air and spacerepresent the largest growth areas fornational security and the greatest frontiersfor joint warfighting. As such, air and spaceoperations will play an ever-increasing rolein the security of America and her allies. TheAir Force will exploit technology, innovativeconcepts of operations, organizational change,and our ability to embrace creative ideas andnew ways of thinking. We will bring to bearthe full suite of air and space capabilities fortomorrow’s joint force commander—drawingfrom every resource, integrating closely withall services, and overcoming any obstacleto succeed.

NEXT HORIZONThe events of the last year have emphasizedthe dynamics of a new international securityera. The decade of new states followingthe Cold War has been followed by the riseof non-state actors, many following a pathof aggression and destruction. Yet, just asAmerica adapted to new global dynamicsin the past, we will again confront emergingchallenges with confidence and faith in ourability to meet the demands of assuringfreedom.

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The Air Force remains dedicated to drawingon its innovation, ingenuity, and resolveto develop far-reaching capabilities. Theability to deliver effects across the spectrumof national security requirements is thecornerstone of the vision and strategy ofAir Force planning and programming. Inconjunction, and increasingly in integrationwith ground, naval, marine, and other nationalagency systems, the Air Force will play acentral role in elevating joint operations. Werecognize the greatest potential for dominantAmerican military capabilities lies in theintegration of our air and space systems withthose of other services and agencies, and oursuccess in this objective will be evident inevery mission to deter, dissuade, or decisivelydefeat any adversary.