An Operational Architecture for Combat Support Execution Planning and Control

To be able to execute the full spectrum of aerospace operations, the United States Air Force has transitioned to an Aerospace Expeditionary Force (AEF). Much of the discussion about the AEF concept has focused on changes in the way the Air Force is organized and provides forces to joint-service force commanders. The AEF construct concerns rapidly deploying, employing, and sustaining aerospace power around the globe, from a force structure that is predominantly located within the Continental United States (CONUS). These AEF global force projection goals present significant challenges to the current combat support (CS) structure. The AEF's requirement to respond quickly means that force and support packages must be tailored quickly to meet the operational needs of the specific contingency. The deployment and sustainment of CS resources must be coordinated to arrive at forward operating locations (FOLs) so that initial and sustained operations can take place without interruption. Most of the resources needed to support operations (munitions, housekeeping, and so forth) are not part of the deploying units. Scarce resources must be allocated to units with the highest priorities, often from different regions of the world. Thus, initiating and sustaining AEF operations require planning and control of a global network of CS resources from organic and industrial sources.