Preparing Air Force Mobility Experts for Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief

Abstract

Abstract : The US military's response to the devastation two cyclones levied on the South African nation of Mozambique-officially known as Joint Task Force-ATLAS RESPONSE (JTF-AR)-was a watershed event for U.S. Air Force (USAF) employment in disaster relief. The success of this Third Air Force-led JTF provides insight that training USAF mobility experts specifically for humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HA/DR) enhances the timely attainment of the JTF's objectives and furthers the relief effort. This paper examines whether the USAF should pursue providing its mobility experts with the distinct knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) needed to facilitate effective and efficient integration of airlift resources into HA/OR operations. This research indicate that the USAF should train its mobility experts to provide a greater understanding of: 1) the humanitarian environment and the players in it, 2) the roles and missions of a JTF established for HA/DR operations, 3) the culture, economics, and society of the region they could deploy to, and 4) the unique demands the HA/DR environment places on mobility experts and their core competency of rapid global mobility. These four areas constitute the KSAs unique to HA/DR operations and the key areas where USAF mobility forces should receive training to support HA/DR JTFs. Since it is almost unimaginable to envision a US military engagement that does not include government agencies, humanitarian aid agencies, and foreign militaries, these four KSAs outlined above will not only enhance a JTF focused on HA/DR, but they will also improve USAF readiness for any operation including war.