Wild Blue Yonder

July 11, 2024
Rapid Ascent: Warfighting Mindset

In 1948, the AFM 35-15 Air Force Leadership set out principles and techniques for early Cold War commanders to build cohesive and efficient organization to face the challenges of the post World War II security landscape. Its values are timeless, but it was aimed at an audience familiar with
July 1, 2024
Rising Tide: Strengthening the U.S.-Indonesia Partnership Against PRC Aggression

The U.S. and Indonesia share a comprehensive strategic partnership, spanning multiple areas. Both are confronted with the same challenge: PRC aggression in South East Asia. Indonesia faces political and economic concerns that prevent it from adequately assessing the scope of this challenge or
June 28, 2024
Accelerating Decision-Making Through Human-Machine Teaming

The Air Force must create new doctrinal mechanisms that support Third Offset technologies. This paper first explores several human- machine teaming frameworks, then advocates for their incorporation into existing doctrinal authorities. It also explores the challenges associated with those changes
June 27, 2024
Australia's Balancing Act: Navigating China's Influence in the Indo-Pacific Region

This essay discusses Australia’s strategic position in the Indo-Pacific, focusing on China’s military and economic ascension. It underscores Australia’s need to balance its military preparedness and economic considerations in response to China. US collaboration is vital for
June 24, 2024
Robin Olds: Finding Guideposts for Mission Command

Is there value in scrutinizing the life of a revered hero?
June 17, 2024
USAF Execution of AE, Blood, & Class VIII Sustainment in a Contested INDOPACOM

Imagine an Airman presents on the battlefield in INDOPACOM with a significant limb injury and has profused a lot of blood. Alternatively, a field hospital in the Pacific received several trauma patients with critical injuries, and the hospital has limited supplies, only a small number of
June 10, 2024
USAF Mission Command: Cultural, Organizational and Operational Change to Meet Future Demands

The United States Air Force has adopted the Agile Combat Employment operating model that requires a Mission Command philosophy of command and control to be successful. Mission Command is viewed as a philosophy of leadership that would empower Airmen to operate in uncertain, complex, and
June 5, 2024
Artificial Intelligence and the Future of the United States Air Force

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is increasingly influencing various aspects of 21st-century life, with the United States Air Force leveraging AI to enhance core missions like air superiority, intelligence, and global strike. While AI offers significant operational advantages, including increased
June 3, 2024
Planning to Fail: Operational Persistence through Mission Command

As described in AFDP 1-1, the principals of Mission Command should enable a substantial change in the Air Force’s planning and execution at the operation level of war: they should enable continued airpower effects if the Air Operations Center (AOC) disappears tomorrow – because it
May 27, 2024
Organizing for Mission Command

What's old is new again.Confronted with numerical inferiority, a contested electromagnetic spectrum, and the lack of safe havens, the USAF is returning to an old concept: mission command.[1] This philosophy envisions small units, operating under commander’s intent, that can maneuver and fight more