Air Force Core Functions
If you are an AIRMAN
then you believe that airpower,
if used in certain ways,
will achieve victory more quickly than
if used in other ways.
Overview
• Levels of Air & Space Doctrine
• Air Force Core Functions
– Nuclear Deterrence Operations
– Air Superiority
– Space Superiority
– Cyber Superiority
– Command and Control
Overview
nd
2
• Air Force Core Functions cont’
– Global Integrated ISR
– Global Precision Attack
– Rapid Global Mobility
– Personnel Recovery
– Agile Combat Support
– Special Operations
– Building Partnerships
hr
Doctrine
Doctrine
Theory
History
Simulations
& Exercises
Conflict
3 Levels of Doctrine
Doctrine: The officially-sanctioned beliefs, based on theory & history
• Basic Doctrine
– Most fundamental and enduring
beliefs that describe and guide the
proper use of air & space forces
– NOT a checklist or scientific
formula…provides common frame of
reference
– Provides an Airman’s perspective on
organizing and employing air and
space forces
3 Levels of Doctrine
• Operational Doctrine (AFDD 2)
– More detailed… how to organize
and employ air and space power…
Operations
Air
Force Tactics,
And
Techniques,
and
Organization
Procedures
• Tactical Doctrine (AFTTP 3series)Proper Employment or
Deployment of Specific A/F Assets
Air Force Doctrine
Document 2
AFTTP-3
• Air Force Core Functions
– Nuclear Deterrence Operations
– Air Superiority
– Space Superiority
– Cyber Superiority
– Command and Control
Nuclear Deterrence Operations
• Designed to operate, maintain, and secure
nuclear forces to achieve an assured capability
to deter an adversary from taking action against
vital US interests.
• Sub elements include:
– Assure/Dissuade/Deter
– Nuclear Strike
– Nuclear Surety
Air Superiority
• The degree of dominance in the air battle of one
force over another, which permits the conduct of
operations by the former and its related land, sea,
air, and special operations forces at a given time
and place without prohibitive interference by the
opposing force.
• Sub elements include:
– Offensive Counterair
– Defensive Counterair
– Airspace Control
Counterair
• Offensive Counterair (OCA)
– Take the fight to the enemy
– Engage over or near their territory
• Defensive Counterair (DCA)
– Enemy brings the fight to you
– Engage over or near our territory
• Airspace Control
– Provides safe efficient use of airspace and
prevents fratricide
Space Superiority
• The degree of dominance in space of one force
over another that permits the conduct of
operations by the former and its related land, sea,
air, space, and special operations forces at a
given time and place without prohibitive
interference by the opposing force.
• Sub elements include:
–
–
–
–
Space Force Enhancement
Space Force Application
Space Control
Space Support
Cyber Superiority
• The operational advantage in, through, and
from cyberspace to conduct operations at a
given time and in a given domain without
prohibitive interference
• Sub elements (all ISR dependent) include:
– Cyber Force Application (CNA, CNE)
– Cyber Defense (CNA, CNE, CND)
– Cyber Support (CNE, CND)
Command and Control (C2)
• The exercise of authority and direction by a
properly designated commander over assigned
and attached forces in the accomplishment of
the mission.
• Sub elements include:
– Strategic Level C2
– Operational Level C2
– Tactical Level C2
Interim Summary
• Air Force Core Functions
– Nuclear Deterrence Operations
– Air Superiority
– Space Superiority
– Cyber Superiority
– Command and Control
Overview
nd
2
• Air Force Core Functions cont’
– Global Integrated ISR
– Global Precision Attack
– Rapid Global Mobility
– Personnel Recovery
– Agile Combat Support
– Special Operations
– Building Partnerships
hr
Global Integrated Intelligence,
Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
• The synchronization and integration of the
planning and operation of sensors, assets, and
processing, exploitation, and dissemination
systems across the globe to conduct current and
future operations.
• Sub elements include:
–
–
–
–
–
Planning and Directing
Collection
Processing and Exploitation
Analysis and Production
Dissemination and Integration
Global Precision Attack
• The ability to hold at risk or strike rapidly and
persistently, with a wide range of munitions,
any target and to create swift, decisive, and
precise effects across multiple domains.
• Sub elements include:
– Strategic Attack
– Air Interdiction
– Close Air Support
Strategic Attack
• Attack points where:
– the enemy is vulnerable
– attack will be decisive
•
• Striking enemy in the core
– Bring enemy to their knees
– Stop enemy’s will to fight
Interdiction
• “Divert, disrupt, delay or destroy the enemy’s surface
military potential before it can be used effectively
against friendly forces.”
• Targets for interdiction attacks:
– Military weapon systems (tanks/artillery/infantry)
– Military supplies (POL)
Interdiction
• One of airpower’s most flexible and
powerful uses
– Strike enemy forces w/o having to fight them
– Disrupts enemy’s offensive operations
Close Air Support
• Air operations against hostile
targets in close proximity to
friendly forces…
• Occurs on or near battlefield
• Provides direct support of
friendly surface forces
Rapid Global Mobility
• The timely deployment, employment,
sustainment, augmentation, and redeployment
of military forces and capabilities across the
Range of Military Operations. (ROMO)
• Sub elements include:
– Air Lift
– Air Refueling
– Aeromedical Evacuation
Airlift
• The transportation of
personnel and material
through the air and can
be applied across the
entire range of military
operations.
Air Refueling
• The in-flight transfer of
fuel between tanker and
receiver aircraft
Air Refueling
• Expands commander’s employment options by
increasing
KC-135
• Range
• Payload
• Loiter time
• Flexibility
• By increasing payload it is a force multiplier F-111F
Personnel Recover
• The sum of military, diplomatic, and civil
efforts to prepare for and execute the recovery
and reintegration of isolated personnel
• Sub elements include:
– Combat Search and Rescue
– Civil Search and Rescue
– Disaster Response
– Humanitarian Assistance Operations
– Medical/Casualty Evacuation
Combat Search & Rescue
• …a specific task performed
by rescue forces to recover
isolated personnel during
military operations .
Agile Combat Support
• The ability to field, protect, and sustain Air Force
forces across the ROMO to achieve joint effects.
• Sub elements include:
– Prepare the battle space
– Ready, Position, Protect, Sustain, and Recover
the Total Force
– Employ combat support forces
Special Operations
• Operations conducted in hostile, denied, or
politically sensitive environments to achieve
military, diplomatic, informational, or economic
objectives employing military capabilities for
which there is no conventional force requirement.
• Sub elements include: Agile Combat Support, Aviation
Foreign Internal Defense, Battlefield Air Operations, Command
and Control, Information Operations, ISR, Military Information
Support operations, Precision Strike, Air Mobility, and Air
Refueling.
Building Partnerships
• Airmen interacting with international airmen
and other relevant actors to develop, guide,
and sustain relationships for mutual benefit
and security.
• Sub elements include:
– Communicate
– Shape
• Air Force Core Functions
– Global Integrated ISR
– Global Precision Attack
– Rapid Global Mobility
– Personnel Recovery
– Agile Combat Support
– Special Operations
– Building Partnerships
Summary
• Levels of Air & Space Doctrine
– Basic, Operational, Tactical
• Air Force Core Functions
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
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Nuclear Deterrence Operations
Air Superiority
Space Superiority
Cyber Superiority
Command and Control
Global Integrated ISR
Global Precision Attack
Rapid Global Mobility
Personnel Recovery
Agile Combat Support
Special Operations
Building Partnerships