Usaf Mobility Planning

"This pamphlet ... provides broad air mobility planning factors for peacetime and wartime operations. It is designed to help service, joint, and combined planners make gross estimates about mobility requirements in the early stages of the planning process. It covers strategic airlift, air refueling, and aeromedical evacuation (AE)"--Page 1.

Since airlift was first used as a tool of national security during the Berlin Airlift, it has grown to deliver passengers, cargo, and fuel to operations worldwide in support of national security. However, Air Mobility Command is the single organization that performs for air mobility for the United States. Cm%Currently, the Air Force has structured Air Mobility Command for war, yet this command performs operations during times when the US is at peace. Air Mobility Command performs missions to support US military operations in hostile environments as well as humanitarian operations in non-hostile environments. The number of operations requiring mobility air forces has been on the rise since the Cold War ended 10 years ago. These steady-state operations seem to over task mobility air forces. This study centers on the question: Can Air Mobility Command's force structure, organized for two major-theater wars, fulfill that requirement and perform the steady-state operations in today's strategic environment? This study finds that Air Mobility Command's force structure cannot meet its requirements for two major-theater wars and that the current force structure is inefficient in meeting the requirements for steady-state operations. First, this thesis presents a primer to acclimate the reader to the complex environment and multifaceted requirements of mobility air forces. Next, this thesis examines Air Mobility Command's current force structure as determined by Department of Defense requirements for war. Then this thesis also describes the various types of missions that Air Mobility Command performs on a steady-state basis and evaluates the importance of these operations in fulfilling US National Security Strategy. Finally, this thesis recommends action that the Air Force and the Department of Defense should investigate in order to improve their air mobility capabilities in.

Global air mobility is an American invention. During the twentieth century, other nations developed capabilities to transport supplies and personnel by air to support deployed military forces. But only the United States mustered the resources and will to create a global transport force and aerial refueling aircraft capable of moving air and ground combat forces of all types to anywhere in the world and supporting them in continuous combat operations. Whether contemplating a bomber campaign or halting another surprise attack, American war planners have depended on transport and tanker aircraft.

The US Air Force provides unique warfighting capabilities that are essential to joint operations. Foremost among these capabilities is the ability to rapidly focus American combat power and lifesaving resources anywhere on the planet. Frequently, and especially in the opening stages of a conflict, air and space power may be the main manifestation of combat power we bring to bear against an adversary. Contents: Chapter One - An Introduction To Air Mobility * Chapter Two - Organization And Command & Control (C2) * Chapter Three - Airlift * Chapter Four - Air Refueling * Chapter Five - Air Mobility Support * Chapter Six - Air Mobility Planning * Chapter Seven - Aeromedical Evacuation. Topics covered include the Air Reserve Component (ARC), Civil Reserve Air Fleet (CRAF), Air National Guard (ANG), Airlift, Air Refueling, aeromedical evacuation, Operation VITTLES, Operation SWIFT FREEDOM, Operation JUST CAUSE, Operation ENDURING FREEDOM - HUMRO. Of these capabilities, the Air Force provides a very singular form of power: the ability to rapidly position and sustain forces at places and times of our choosing. This pivotal capability-air mobility-is the essential ingredient for modern US expeditionary operations and supports joint force commander-desired effects to deter, dissuade, or destroy the enemy. Force projection provides for presence, mass and maneuver, surprise, security and economy. It is the sum of an impressive fleet of transport and aerial refueling aircraft, underpinned by a flexible support system, and operated by a specialized cadre of active duty Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and Air Force civilian personnel. While other forms of American military power have some degree of inherent mobility, the scale of flexibility and responsiveness of the Air Force's air mobility forces is singular in the history of world conflict. We must understand and apply our doctrine in order to succeed in current and future challenges. To do this smoothly and consistently, our planning and employment must be clearly understood and, most importantly, repeatable. To make that happen, we have captured our best practices in doctrine documents such as this one. We must learn and practice our own doctrine. We must understand what it means to be an Airman and be able to articulate what air and space power, and especially air mobility, can bring to the joint fight. Every Airman should read, discuss, and practice doctrine, and to ensure that it adapts as necessary to remain applicable in our changing environment.