Making the Expeditionary Aerospace Force Work--Now!

This paper proposes a definitive plan for the Aerospace Expeditionary Forces (AEF). The proposed plan briefly analyzes the current world situation, the evolving EAF "vision" spelled out by AF senior leadership, the challenges to that vision, and where the EAF stands today. After reviewing the background, a definitive AEF plan based on the full EAF "vision" and our current force structure, complete with concept of operations and squadron-level tasking, is proposed. The AEF plan is divided into 4 separate areas: (1) 12 "paired" Combat AEFs, (2) 5 Bomber Alerts, (3) 5 MobilityAEFs, and (4) 12 "Normal Daily Taskings." Each area has assigned forces, planning factors, assumptions, and the concept of operations clearly spelled out. Following the proposed plan, the average tasked active duty squadron would be "on call" 93 days/yr; the average tasked ANG squadron would be "on call" 77 days/yr, and the average tasked AFR Command squadron would be "on call" 74 days/yr. After defining the plan, various scenarios for each "area" are analyzed. Several conclusions for current and future use of the AEFs are drawn. Finally, the paper puts the AEF plan and conclusions drawn from the scenarios together and compares what should happen to the AF's Operations Tempo (OPSTEMPO) and retention when the EAF "vision" is fully implemented. The result is a predicted actual OPSTEMPO of 48 days/yr for combat and combat support (flying) squadrons and 72 days/yr for airlift and tanker squadrons.