Joint Air Component Coordination Element: Middleman or an Effective Airpower Broker.

摘要

While the Joint Air Component Coordination Element (JACCE) was initially an ad hoc organization designed to bridge the coordination gap between the Joint Force Land Component Commander's (JFLCC) fielded subordinates and geographically separated supporting Joint Force Air Component Commander (JFACC), it is now a formally entrenched part of both Joint and United States Air Force (USAF) doctrine. However, the collective experience gained employing the JACCE during both Operations IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) and ENDURING FREEDOM (OEF) provides mixed results regarding its actual effectiveness at delivering the desired level of air support to ground combat operations. The purpose of this paper is not to dispute the legitimate value of operational level liaison elements, but to examine the limitations and inconsistencies of the JACCE concept as currently described in doctrine, and to discuss how this concept should be improved and implemented to ensure the most effective air support for ground forces in combat. Therefore, given the use of a theater JFACC in the US Central Command (USCENTCOM) area of responsibility (AOR) in accordance with Joint and USAF doctrine, the current JACCE concept is inadequate, and future Joint operations will be better served by employing a dedicated Commander, Air Force Forces (COMAFFOR) to deliver effective and decisive airpower at the Joint Task Force (JTF) and sub-JTF levels.