The Air Expeditionary Force: What You Need, When You Need It.

Abstract : The Air Force's new Air Expeditionary Force (AEF) provides rapid, responsive, and reliable airpower to the CINCs. Directly aligned with the National Security Strategy, the AEF is a valuable operational art tool. Overall, benefits of the concept far outweigh any costs associated with establishing an AEF. What exactly is this new AEF? How does it support warfighting strategies of today and the future? How does the AEF add to operational campaign planning and operations? Joint Vision 2010 provides a conceptual framework for commanders and planners. The AEF provides one capability to implement the operational concepts of this plan. What's more, commanders can use the AEF to manage space, time, and forces. In addition, by virtue of its pre-hostilities' agreements and peacetime operations, the AEF helps commanders with some of the challenges in leading combined fighting teams so common in today's coalition warfare environment. The AEF is an evolving concept. Capabilities are increasing. Challenges are being addressed and resolved. Together with other forces, the AEF provides capabilities across the entire spectrum of military operations. AEFs can participate in peacetime engagement, deterrence, and conflict prevention, and can fight and win aspects of Joint Vision 2010 full spectrum dominance.