Robert S. Tripp

The Air Force is reorganizing into an Expeditionary Aerospace Force (EAF) with the goal of replacing the forward presence of aerospace power with a force that can deploy quickly in a crisis, commence operations immediately upon arrival, and sustain operations as appropriate.

A key challenge facing the future Air Force is how to nearly continuously deploy relatively small-scale forces for peacekeeping and humanitarian relief missions while maintaining the capability to win major theater wars. In response to this challenge, the Air Force has developed the concept of an Expeditionary Aerospace Force (EAF) to deal with the range of expected missions. The report argues that this new concept requires a complete reexamination of the combat support system, especially the planning framework for combat support. This framework must integrate logistics, mobility, and operational planning across echelons, commands, and phases of warfare. The report discusses how integrated Agile Combat Support planning aimed at mid-term or strategic decisions can enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of EAF operations. The authors provide an example of use of the ACS planning framework to evaluate support alternatives for a strike AEF deployment to Southwest Asia, addressing aviation support, reparable avionics components, and munitions.