Expeditionary Airfield Operations

Résumé du livre

This study examines various expeditionary airfield operations in an attempt to discern those problems that have consistently plagued operations of this nature; with an eye toward how can we accomplish this task more effectively in the future. For the purposes of this study, expeditionary airfield operations are defined as: any rapidly unfolding situation which requires US air assets to hastily initiate sustained, high-tempo air operations at an airfield where this had not been the case. The historical analysis scrutinizes two different case studies from each of the following eras: World War II, the Cold War, and the post-Cold War. Each case study is evaluated on the efficacy of its site survey, the effectiveness of initial air operations, and the success of follow-on forces. Overall, the case studies reveal that there are, in fact, enduring points of friction that seem to consistently plague expeditionary airfield operations. These factors range from the critical, such as the deterioration of a main runway, to the mundane, such as poor food quality. Two minor adjustments to our current exercise schedules will prepare our military to excel in the coming decades. First, we must focus some portion of our domestic training exercises upon small war scenarios. Second, more of our overseas training should take place in partnership with allies who reside within the arc of instability. If done correctly, support personnel, operators, and the host nation would stand to benefit immensely from these exercises.