Mitchell Hour Focuses on ISR Forces

The Gen. Billy Mitchell Institute for Airpower Studies held a Mitchell Hour this morning, presenting the latest Mitchell Paper, entitled "Layering ISR Forces," where author Michael W. Isherwood, a defense analyst and former A-10 fighter pilot, joined us here at AFA Headquarters. In this new Mitchell Institute report, Isherwood had a clear message: US forces have to be extremely proficient at all aspects of Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance because success in future operations hinges on timely, astute combinations of ISR resources. To access the audio and slides from this presentation, click here.

In addition, as today's Mitchell Hour concluded, Dr. Rebecca Grant announced her resignation as the director of the Mitchell Institute. The Mitchell Institute is AFA’s research and policy arm, where Dr. Grant, who was its founding director, led the organization’s research and publication work for more than three years.

"Rebecca Grant has contributed much to the field of airpower and has demonstrated great passion for the subject in her many reports for the Mitchell Institute,” said Mike Dunn, AFA President and CEO. “We owe her a big debt of gratitude for all she has done for this Association, and we wish her well in her future endeavors.”  

Dr. Grant said she will continue to manage her consulting firm, IRIS Independent Research, specializing in airpower research.

"One of AFA’s missions is to provide honest information about airpower,” Grant said. “The Mitchell Institute made a real contribution to that work and I am proud of the reports we published and the public events that kept the focus on airpower – air, space and cyber – and its value to national security.” 

AFA Awards Aerospace Education Grants to Civil Air Patrol Squadrons

AFA awards a new batch of Civil Air Patrol (CAP) squadrons education grants to help promote aerospace education for hundreds of students each season, and we just announced the Winter Recipients!

These specific grants are distributed for use in any Science, Technology, Engineering or Math (STEM) activity or materials that promote aerospace education, which includes purchasing textbooks, materials, or activities such as field trips to aerospace museums.

AFA advocates education in these crucial subjects to develop the skills necessary for the 21st century jobs in fields sustaining U.S. air power and national security. AFA awards these education grants, each $250, four times each year, twice to units and twice to individual educators.

Congratulations to the following squadrons:

· Pontchatrain Composite Squadron, New Orleans, LA
· Waukesha Composite Squadron, Pewaukee, WI
· Columbus Composite Squadron, Columbus, NE
· 153rd Madison Composite Squadron, Madison, WI
· 176th Selfridge Composite Squadron, Ray, MI
· South Charlotte Cadet Squadron, Indian Trail, NC
· Nighthawk Composite Squadron, Denton, TX
· 71st Eielson Composite Squadron, Eielson AFB, AK
· Wheatland Composite Squadron, Wheatland, WY
· McLean County Composite Squadron, Normal, IL
· Singing River Composite Squadron, Moss Point, MS
· Greenville Composite Squadron, Greenville, SC
· Lapeer Composite Squadron, Attica, MI
· Fox Cities Composite Squadron, Appleton, WI
· Timmerman Composite Squadron, Milwaukee, WI
· 102nd Composite Squadron of RI CAP, Cumberland, RI
· Martinsburg Composite Squadron, Shepherdstown, WV
· 9th Composite Squadron, Fairbanks, AK
· La013 Senior Squadron, Shreveport, LA
· NC Wing Group Four, Rock Hill, SC

AFA’s New Wounded Airman Initiative

AFA and its chapters have taken on a new initiative to help care for wounded Airmen as they make their way from the front line to their home. AFA Chapters around the world are participating in this effort along with the Air Force Recovery Care Coordinators to provide support to Airmen’s needs while in various phases of recovery.

When Airmen are injured and returning to the United States, they are typically bereft of their belongings. They do not have personal clothing or items with them, and are unprepared for their needs as they arrive to begin medical recovery. As they find themselves in hospitals and centers distant from loved ones, this new program was created to help ease their discomfort by offering a variety of both required and congenial items. These items range from immediate small sundries, gift cards, casual clothing, bags, entertainment and technology to connection with larger support agencies for longer term support. They may also require support for family members that may arrive to assist their recovery and rehabilitation.

Three AFA chapters are implementing the first phase of this new initiative: the Nation’s Capital Chapter and D.W. Steele, Sr. Memorial Chapter in the D.C. area and the Alamo Chapter in San Antonio. These three particular chapters were initially selected due to the volume of injured Airmen sent to the Army Medical Centers in their locations. These chapters, along with AFA Headquarters, are putting together packages of needed items for wounded Airmen who arrive at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, MD and at San Antonio Military Medical Center in San Antonio, TX.

At this time, this project is also monitoring wounded Airmen arriving in both Germany and Hawaii. In the near future the AFA will be following not only these arriving Airmen, but Airmen injured in the past and determining their needs and challenges as well as arranging for support in cooperation with the US Air Force and other Warrior Support Agencies. If you would like to contribute, we are accepting monetary donations at this time. Do not hesitate to contact Lois O’Connor at 703-247-5832 or loconnor@afa.org for more information. Donations can be sent to her attention at AFA, 1501 Lee Hwy., 4^th floor, Arlington, VA 22209, or can be sent electronically here.

AFA on Federal News Radio

Just a couple of weeks ago, DoD release their new defense strategy amidst a budget environment that continues to be overwhelmingly tense where the Air Force has sent signals it's bracing for major cuts. Yesterday evening, AFA President and CEO Mike Dunn and Federal News Radio’s Francis Rose discussed the new defense strategy, the role of airpower in it and how the Air Force is set to phase out 200 airplanes without plans to replace them. 

Read/Listen to the full interview here: Air Force to phase out older aircraft?

Also, if you missed Dunn's comments last week on the Air Force's intentions to phase out older aircraft in last week's Wired Magazine's Danger Room, check it out here: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/01/planes-cut/.

 

2012 Air Force Breakfast Series Begins with 5th Generation Fighters

AFA is pleased to announce Lieutenant General Herbert J. “Hawk” Carlisle, Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations, Plans and Requirements, as the guest speaker for the first session of the AFA’s 2012 Air Force Breakfast Program! Lt. Gen. Carlisle spoke at the September 2011 session, honing in on the responsibilities and challenges of his department. However, this month’s session he will be focusing on 5th Generation Fighters (F-22 and F-35) and their roles in terms of national and global security as they struggle with delays and setbacks in a tense budget environment.

Lt. Gen. Carlisle is responsible to the Secretary of the Air Force and the Chief of Staff for formulating policy supporting air, space, irregular warfare, counterproliferation, homeland security, weather and cyber operations. As the Air Force Operations Deputy to the Joint Chiefs of Staff, he determines operational requirements, capabilities and training necessary to support national security objectives and military strategy.

The AFA Air Force Breakfast Program is a monthly series that provides a venue for senior Air Force and Department of Defense leaders to communicate directly with the public and the press. Past speakers include Secretary of the Air Force Michael B. Donley, Chief of Staff of the Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, and Gen. Donald J. Hoffman, Commander of Air Force Materiel Command.

This session will be held on Friday, January 27, 2012, from 7:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m., at the Key Bridge Marriott in Arlington, Virginia. Please register online at http://jan2012breakfast.eventbrite.com. 

Note from AFA President -- Defense "Strategy"

Yesterday the President, Secretary of Defense, and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (then later the Deputy Secretary of Defense, Under Secretary of Defense Policy, and Vice Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff) rolled out the new defense strategy. You can find it at: http://www.defense.gov/news/Defense_Strategic_Guidance.pdf

I listened to the presentations and read the piece carefully. Initially, I was critical of the work. First it is not a “strategy” in the classic sense of the word (ends, ways, and means). You cannot have a strategy without detailing the resources and none were listed. Secondly it seemed to be just a compendium of thoughts on the strategic environment and a listing of missions of the armed forces. The latter seemed to be in priority order, but that is an assumption on my part and was not overtly stated. There was a lot of talk about process vice the tough choices. And finally, there were lots of words on what the Armed Forces will do and few words on what the Armed Forces won’t be doing – given a $450B budget cut. Like others, I could be critical about what was “not included.”

However, as I read the piece for the second time (and understanding that this is a public document … not a classified one which would be at the SECRET or higher level), I found much in it to commend it to you.

First, it recognizes the nation is at a turning point after a decade at war. We have a broader range of challenges than just the focus on the past wars. The force of the future will be smaller and leaner, but will be agile, flexible, ready, and technologically advanced. The department will avoid a “hollow force.” DOD will reorient the force towards the Asia-Pacific region. This puts a premium on Air, Space, and naval forces. As I was quoted recently [see: http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2012/01/planes-cut/] – 100% of the Pacific is covered by air and space.

In the primary mission of US Armed Forces section, I was pleased to see that the mission to project power despite anti-access/area denial challenges was listed. Despite the fact that the authors did not mention one of the most important elements of power projection [Air Superiority], the idea that the Pentagon should look to the future shoots holes in the concept of “next-war-itis” and is long overdue. I found the concept of deterring and defeating aggression to be refreshing:

“Even when US forces are committed to a large-scale operation in one region, they will be capable of denying the objectives of – or imposing unacceptable cost on – an opportunistic aggressor in a second region.”

This puts a premium on those forces that can rapidly shift from one theater to another – predominantly Airpower.

I found the articulation of the concept of conducting long term occupation and stability operations to take into account the realities of what we have seen over the past ten years – where we projected vulnerability – with over 46,000 wounded and more than 6,200 dead. The piece says: “ … US forces will no longer be sized to conduct large-scale, prolonged stability operations.” In my words, we should take advantage of the inherent strengths of Airpower – speed, range, flexibility, technology – and limit the exposure of our forces to our enemies.

I liked the focus on the Guard and Reserves – both of which have carried a heavy load over the past decade.

And I thought the focus on science, technology, innovation, and the industrial base to be important to discuss in any strategy document. I also thought the concept mentioned in the paper about “reversibility” to be an important one in dealing with risk. We have not, in recent history, done well in predicting who, where, and when we will fight.

I might differ on the margins about things like the listing of Hezbollah as a terrorist organization, while leaving out Hamas (and others); talking about operating “effectively” in Cyberspace and Space [these are mediums in which we should dominate]; and suggesting that we can achieve our nuclear deterrence goals with a smaller nuclear force [depends on what the goals are]. But on balance, the document is welcomed relief to the past and recognition that the US has broad, enduring, and overarching goals … and challenges.

Finally, I have to back away and comment on the totality of the challenge facing the Department of Defense. Yes … we’re in a budget crisis. And … yes we need to cut government spending. However, during the Kennedy Administration this nation spent 50% of the federal budget on defense. It’s less than 20% today. Then we spent 9.5% of our GDP on Defense; today it’s 3.4% and getting lower. The question we must ask is: Should we balance the budget on the back of defense spending? We have proven over time that a weak America invites aggression. I’m reminded of the famous quote from President Reagan: “Of the four wars in my lifetime, none came about because the U.S. was too strong.”

Last comment: Documents like these don’t always drive resource decisions. Many times, the Services are given dollar bogeys in a “salami-slice” fashion … without regard for the strategy. We should all watch the budget roll out to see if the resources match the “strategy.”

Let me ask you to read the document and tell me what you think.

For your consideration.


Mike

Michael M. Dunn
President/CEO
Air Force Association

“The only thing more expensive than a first-rate Air Force is … a second-rate Air Force.” -- Senate staff member

AFA Statement of Defense Strategy Review

Today, the Administration released its new defense strategy. The Air Force Association agrees that the United States is at a strategic turning point and our attention must focus on the broader threats affecting our core interests. The Air Force is uniquely positioned to meet future security needs through its ability to shape the global environment, deter potential adversaries, deliver precise combat effects on a global basis and empower the joint force. This strategy focuses additional attention on our commitments to the Asia-Pacific Region, the Middle East and to our allies in Europe. It also emphasizes the importance of maintaining critical industrial capabilities and organizations so the US can expand its capabilities if required to do so in the future. The nation needs appropriate funding for necessary military systems and a sustained commitment to a strong national economy. The budget and policy decisions made based on this strategy released today will shape fundamental security options decades into the future.

Click here to read the full DOD document on their priorities for 21st century defense.