Force-Application Planning

Major Kreighbaum explores the following question: How can current force-application (FA) planning methodologies be changed or supplemented to provide better linkage between objectives, effects, and targets in order to achieve more effective applications of military force? The USAF has not articulated a clear theory of effects. Yet, in all FA analyses, planning, executions, and assessments, effects are used explicitly and implicitly. Due to this imprecise understanding of where effects fit into FA, the overall planning process for selective FA to achieve objectives suffers a like imprecision. Airpower’s efficiency and effectiveness can be enhanced by a clear articulation of a systems-and-effects-based approach to FA that will supplement the existing planning frameworks. Major Kreighbaum develops general propositions regarding the nature of FA effects.