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Document created: 1 December 05
Air & Space Power Journal - Winter 2005

Maj Dave Gillihan, USAF

In order to meet the rapidly changing needs of today’s war-fighting commanders, air and space forces must be prepared to respond quickly and efficiently to worldwide taskings. As such, the support to accompany these forces must respond with equal speed and efficiency. The newly revised Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) 2-4, Combat Support, 23 March 2005, details this important and unique relationship between combat forces and the people, organizations, and systems supporting them.

Gen John P. Jumper, the former Air Force chief of staff, described combat support, which consists of agile combat support (ACS) and expeditionary combat support (ECS), as “the foundation of air and space power.” AFDD 2-4 defines ACS as “actions taken to create, effectively deploy, and sustain US military power anywhere—at our initiative, speed, [and] tempo” and ECS as “a subset of ACS that responds quickly and is highly mobile. ECS is the deployed ACS capability to provide persistent and effective support for the applications of Air and Space power on a global basis” (1). These definitions lay the foundation for concepts presented throughout the remainder of the document.

Completely restructured from its previous version, the new AFDD 2-4 presents key ideas much more effectively and incorporates lessons learned from recent operations throughout. The components of ACS have replaced the combat-support process; specifically, 23 combat-support functional capabilities combine to create eight ACS “master capabilities,” which in turn lead to six ACS “master processes” to create the ACS “master effects” (readied force, prepared battlespace, positioned forces, employed forces, sustained forces, and recovered forces) or combat-support products provided to the commander, Air Force forces.

Most of AFDD 2-4 deals with the six master processes (each of which has its own chapter), intended to “produce the desired effects necessary to create, operate, and sustain globally responsive air and space forces” (3). In addition, the document addresses in detail the concept of combat support command and control (CSC2), the means by which Air Force commanders maintain visibility and control over combat support, emphasizing the organizational structure of CSC2 and the unique capabilities of the numerous organizations involved. It also includes a new appendix on contingency contracting, with detailed guidance on contracting authority and contract planning.

ACS, an Air Force distinctive capability, truly forms the basis of our ability to produce the world’s best organized, trained, and equipped Airmen. Responsive, mobile, and efficient support for our combat forces, as described in the new AFDD 2-4, is the key to ensuring that our service continues to present war-fighting commanders with the best air-combat capability in the world.

Air Force Doctrine Document (AFDD) 1. Air Force Basic Doctrine, 17 November 2003. http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/service_pubs/afdd1.pdf.
AFDD 2. Organization and Employment of Aerospace Power, 17 February 2000. http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/afdc/dd/afdd2/afdd2.pdf.
AFDD 2-4. Combat Support, 23 March 2005. http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/jel/service_pubs/afdd2_4.pdf.
AFDD 2-4.1. Force Protection, 29 October 1999. http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/afdc/dd/afdd2-4.1/afdd2-4.1.pdf.
AFDD 2-4.2. Health Services, 11 December 2002. http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/afdc/dd/afdd2-4.2/afdd2-4.2.pdf.
AFDD 2-4.4. Bases, Infrastructure, and Facilities, 13 November 1999. http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/afdc/dd/afdd2-4.4/afdd2-4.4.pdf.
AFDD 2-4.5. Legal Support, 15 May 2003. http://www.e-publishing.af.mil/pubfiles/afdc/dd/afdd2-4.5/afdd2-4.5.pdf.

Disclaimer

The conclusions and opinions expressed in this document are those of the author cultivated in the freedom of expression, academic environment of Air University. They do not reflect the official position of the U.S. Government, Department of Defense, the United States Air Force or the Air University

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