Targeting, Air Force Doctrine Document 2-1.9

Time and time again in the last several decades, air and space power has proven among the most powerful of weapons in the nation's military arsenal, deciding some conflicts outright and enabling us to resolve others in the manner of our choosing. Today, air and space power can impose decisive effects anywhere on the globe at almost any time, but it has taken more than this global reach to make it the world's premier military instrument. Sound doctrine, strategy, and operational art are also required and the discipline of targeting is a vital piece of Air Force operational art. Guided by sound doctrine and strategy, targeting during conflict enables air and space power to be a decisive force in modern warfare. Targeting processes and principles that encompass the realms of information and influence can also have decisive effects upon operations other than major combat. This publication describes what targeting is and how it supports the overarching structure of air and space planning, execution, and assessment. The United States military operates according to effects-based principles, which tie planning, execution, and assessment together into an adaptive whole. Accordingly, this publication also shows why and how effects-based thinking is integral to effective targeting today. This document builds upon the foundational doctrine concepts of an effects-based approach established in Air Force Doctrine Document 2, Operations and Organization. This Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) establishes doctrinal guidance for planning, executing, and assessing targeting operations. This AFDD applies to the Total Force: all Air Force military and civilian personnel, including regular, Air Force Reserve Command, and Air National Guard units and members. Unless specifically stated otherwise, Air Force doctrine applies to the full range of military operations, as appropriate, from stability, security, transition, and reconstruction operations to major operations and campaigns.