Building Partner Air Power: The Operational Sustainment Imparity

Abstract

Abstract : The recent addition of Building Partnerships to United States Air Force doctrinal core competencies highlights the renewed emphasis that U.S. national security strategy places on security cooperation in securing regional stability, and producing partner nations able to defend against common threats. However, this added focus area brings with it challenges that the Air Force has historically failed to address in its operational plans. An objective evaluation of the Air Force's training and advisory missions in South Vietnam and later, Iraq reveals partner nation operational sustainment to be given short shrift in operational planning efforts. Successful air training and advisory missions hinge on properly addressing the operational sustainment factor as early as possible. Partner nation sustainment capacity needs to be built commensurate with the provided operational capacity. The Air Force faces unique challenges in the expeditionary, air training and advisory environment, and proper operational planning for such efforts can mitigate those concerns. Finally, the Air Force's operational planning process can be improved by effectively incorporating sustainment considerations in current and future air training and advisory missions.