Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation: Advancing Modeling and Simulation for the Warfighter

摘要

In the mid 1990s General Ronald Fogleman, then U.S. Air Force (USAF) Chief of Staff, was determined to correct the deficiencies in modeling and simulation (M&S) that were uncovered in the months and years following Desert Storm. The existing models, technology, and expertise did not accurately represent air and space power, particularly in Joint exercises, experiments, and studies. This was exacerbated in that the Combatant Commanders did not have accurate air and space power representations when formulating contingency plans, nor the ability to accurately rehearse those plans with the limited airpower simulations that would drive their exercises. Additionally, the Air Force was not yet exploiting the power of simulation to properly communicate to Congress and the Office of the Secretary of Defense on such issues as roles, missions, and funding. An M&S policy office was established but still had no governance structure. The Air Force had no top-level Air Force integrator or servicewide coordinating processes and integrating initiatives, and had many competing air models. As a result, General Ronald Fogleman signed 'A New Vector' in 1995 (Figure 1), outlining the USAF's plan to improve its use of M&S. At a four-star Summit, the Chief of Staff of the Air Force (CSAF) and the Secretary of the Air Force (SAF) sponsored the creation of an Air Staff Field Operating Agency (FOA) in Orlando, Florida, to specifically meet these challenges, the Air Force Agency for Modeling and Simulation (AFAMS). Headquarters USAF Program Action Directive 96-4 officially implemented the CSAF's decision and AFAMS stood up on June 3, 1996.