Information, Understanding, and Influence: An Agency Theory Strategy for Air Base Communications and Cyberspace Support.

摘要

This thesis seeks to answer the question: how should the Air Force posture itself to best provide responsive communications and cyberspace support to its air bases in a challenged environment? Airpower, from its early development through the sophisticated operations of today, demands reliable and responsive communications and cyberspace support capabilities. Today, the Air Force provides much of those capabilities through a centralized organizational structure operating the Air Force Network (AFNET). This thesis examines the history of communications in support of airpower, from its humble beginnings in the US Army Air Corps to its role in modern day cyberspace operations. It focuses on the service s organizational approaches, the role of communications in support of air operations, and its ability to integrate new technology and capabilities into the force. The thesis then uses agency theory to explain the influences that shape the past and present communications and cyberspace support organizations. Next, it introduces a strategy based on this analysis to bring information, understanding, and influence from supported air bases into the AFNET organizational structure. The thesis then tests and demonstrates the strategy under normal and stressed operational conditions to evaluate its performance. The analysis concludes that airpower communications and cyberspace support requires an effective balance between security and capability. The current AFNET organizational structure provides a strong and necessary emphasis on security, but it could also benefit from realignment in order to enhance responsiveness to airpower operations. The proposed strategy answers the research question and aims to help achieve the balance the Air Force needs