Volume 31 Issue 4, Winter 2017

Brig Gen Timothy D. Haugh, USAF / Lt Col Douglas W. Leonard, USAF
 
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) remain in high demand across all theaters of US military operations. However, the Department of Defense has never fully developed a comprehensive process that yields scalable, qualitative, and quantitative results that will assist in developing a better ISR approach at the tactical, operational, and strategic levels. In the absence of such joint guidance, the ISR community must develop a process that measures success in terms of the achievement of operational outcomes, most often expressed as intelligence requirements or objectives, and the closure of intelligence gaps.

Maj Thomas B. Payne, USAF
 
Autonomy in weapon systems has been under development and controversial for many years. However, robotics and autonomous systems have been highlighted by the Department of Defense (DOD) “third offset” strategy. Most military leaders have heard something about the development of “autonomy” in weapon systems and are aware of the vocal opposition from outside the DOD, but may not be familiar with the scope of the debate or the various issues raised. 

Maj Ian Slazinik, USAF / Maj Ben Hazen, USAF
 
This article analyzes the information flow through theater air mobility command and control (C2) organizations in an effort to uncover guidelines to adapt organizational structures and processes to increase the speed and reach of information. These guidelines would aim to improve organizational agility and decision making while adapting to future trends in the broader C2 enterprise. 

Lt Col Kevin K. McCaskey, USAF
 
A decade and a half after 9/11, the international security environment continues to evolve largely, although not exclusively, toward small-scale engagement between states and nonstate organizations. How airpower is employed to meet this dynamic threat environment should be considered in light of three factors: the emerging threats, where these emerging threats are located, and what capabilities will allow successful operations against the threats.

Lt Col James M. Davitch, USAF / Lt Col Robert D. Folker Jr., USAF
 
The Air Force’s senior leaders have expressed a desire for Airmen to hone their critical thinking (CT) skills and improve decision making, but the service still lacks a means to determine if that need is being met. This article describes two studies that imply critical thinking is an uncommon skill within the service.

Lt Col John S. Sellers, USAF, Retired

The Air Force talk on innovation doesn’t always agree with its walk. The result is an uncertain and sometimes hostile environment for innovators. We’ll examine the causes and high costs of this issue as it relates to a case study on aircraft deconfliction.

Col Craig R. Corey, USAF, Retired
 
Counterair has been the bedrock of theater air operations and is a critical enabler to the continued success of the joint force for decades. According to DOD Joint Publication (JP) 3-01, Countering Air and Missile Threats, counterair integrates offensive and defensive operations to attain and maintain the desired degree of control of the air and protection by neutralizing or destroying enemy aircraft and missiles, both before and after launch.

Capt Michael Nayak, USAF, PhD
 
Today, America's strategic advantage and military superiority are critically codependent on its space superiority. Space-based systems provide critical information, intelligence, warning, and communication capabilities to commanders and warfighters across the spectrum of global conflict.

Lt Col Mark Reith, USAF, PhD
 
The United States has arrived at a historic crossroads for space and cyber. For decades, space and cyber have been treated as neutral territory or part of a global commons, but the rise of competitors and the commoditizing of technology within these domains have drastically changed the calculus of strategic deterrence.