Mobility Air Forces: Unifying Culture for Contemporary Challenges

摘要

The time has come for another significant shift in air mobility culture. Historically, this culture had three subcultures, intratheater, intertheater, and air refueling. These subcultures existed due to gaps between operating environments. The gaps have largely disappeared. The distinctly different subcultures must disappear as well. Gaps between subcultures have never been hard and fast. Vietnam narrowed the gaps to a point where the Air Force consolidated control of airlift forces. Air Force reorganization in the 1990s divided airlift forces once again, but placed air refueling and intertheater forces together for the first time. This reorganization led to difficulties during initial actions in Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, Afghanistan, 2001. A cultural shift brought much success during Operation IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003 and beyond. The elimination of significant subcultures within the Mobility Air Forces and the reconsolidation of all air mobility assets, to include dedicated theater assets, will bring tremendous benefits in the future joint operating environment. This new subculture must maintain a strategic vision, but with a tactical edge. Leadership must continue to be proactive and facilitate cultural change, but ultimately, this change will occur because of the current environment and the emerging tactical mindset of newer members of the organization.