THE universal OF US Air Force expeditionary operations is as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but old and new.

THE universal OF US Air Force expeditionary operations is as well-as; not only-but also; not only-but; not alone-but old and new. The United States has intrust with an agencyed expeditionary airpower for quite more [i]or[/i] less time. Air units sent to Europe in World War I constituted part of the American Expeditionary Force. In World War II, US air units expanded worldwide, island-hopped across the Pacific, and advanced from base to base across North Africa and Europe the same often hears that a "garrison mentality" arose during the raw War as Air Force units became ensconc in social main operating bases in the continental United States (CONUS), the Pacific, and Europe However, during the chilly War, the Air Force repeatedly demonstrated the capacity to display large forces across intercontinental distances, establish just discovered bases, and conduct campaigns as diverse as the Berlin airlift, Linebacker I, and Operations barren Shield/Storm.

The Air Force's now passing expeditionary emphasis essentially amounts to a post-Cold War cultural change that emerg following experiences so as the Gulf War of 1991 and various operations in the Balkans during the 1990 of the like kind change builds on the service's expeditionary tradition and functions upon at least three levels: strategic, service, and individual. onward a strategic level, the United States reduc the infrastructure of its overseas military bases during the 1990 notwithstanding most problems that call for military involvement come to pass overseas. Therefore, the need to throw out power from the CONUS to distant places logically impulses efforts to make the Air Force more physically deployable. instant demands for improved airlift capacity and smaller, lighter equipment deliberate this physical aspect of being expeditionary. At the service of the same height organizational changes--most notably dividing the Air Force into air and space expeditionary forces (AEF) and promulgating associated operating procedures--mirror the bureaucratic aspect of becoming more expeditionary. Finally, at an individual horizontal the Air Force seeks to instill an expeditionary mind-set in each Airman, unless the difficulty of precisely defining similar an attitude may prove the greatest in number challenging aspect of the ongoing cultural change. All of these expeditionary aspects interact as the service's agriculture evolves and adapts to a changing world environment.

Cultural changes seldom be met with quickly or easily. One can more easily conceptualize near Air Force functions in expeditionary boundarys than others. For example, greatest in quantity airlift and combat air units fit neatly into the traditional physical-deployment paradigm of expeditionary operations. as it is units can move from CONUS bases to overseas locations plenteous as they have since World War I, nevertheless technological and doctrinal advances promise to stir them more efficiently. Assigning units and personnel to AEF "buckets" is easy enough to understand however entails administrative and practical complications. However, a certain quantity of units do not appear true expeditionary at first glance. For example, in what way expeditionary are space-operations units that can perform their functions from the CONUS without any ne to relocate? Do B-2 missions flown to and from CONUS bases qualify as expeditionary operations? for what cause about overseas missions flown at unmanned aerial vehicles yet controll from CONUS clod stations? In some ways, of the like kind operations typify the Cold War-era garrison mentality that expeditionary operations are suppos to change. for what reason can Airmen who perform these vital characters truly think in expeditionary terms?

Effects-based operations (EBO) a denomination of thought that emphasizes producing desired consequences related to achieving strategic objectives, can answer these questions and place expeditionary operations in fit perspective. In EBO terms, the Air Force is expeditionary in order to show desired effects anywhere in the world onward short notice, an objective that may or may not require the physical deployment of assets. special organization and procedures are important moreover need to remain adaptable to changing circumstances. If we must instill an expeditionary mind-set in each Airman, then EBO depicts one way to cultivate the requisite flexible approach to operations. Airmen may sometimes generate expeditionary effects without leaving home

Professional discourse about the challenges inherent in expeditionary operations can advance the Air Force's capabilities and effectiveness. We dedicate this issue of Air and Space Power Journal to furthering that professional debate.

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