Anytime, Anyplace: Air Force Special Operations Command in Future Irregular Warfare
Laura Jones and Shawna Sinnott | 01.14.22
Anytime, Anyplace: Air Force Special Operations Command in Future Irregular Warfare
Irregular warfare is executed across all domains and when operations require air support, Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) stands ready to provide specialized skill sets to IW practitioners. As irregular warfare faces an uncertain future, so does AFSOC and its air commandos. The command stands at an inflection point in which it must prepare to compete against great powers while continuing the fight against violent extremist organizations. How must AFSOC change in order to meet divergent demands for specialized airpower?
Episode 44 explores AFSOC’s current efforts to build the organization that will be needed to meet future threats. Our guests begin by explaining AFSOC’s role within the irregular warfare space. They continue by discussing how AFSOC can manage to adapt to new adversaries and threats in a flat resourcing environment. They then discuss how AFSOC can leverage its human talent to incorporate new technologies and find innovative solutions to future problems. They conclude by examining the possibilities of different metrics of success within IW and how great power challenges may need to define success along multiple time horizons.
Lt. Gen. James C. “Jim” Slife is the commander of Air Force Special Operations Command, the Air Force component of US Special Operations Command. AFSOC provides Air Force special operations forces for worldwide deployment and assignment to unified combatant commanders. The command has approximately 20,800 active duty, reserve, Air National Guard, and civilian professionals.
https://mwi.usma.edu/anytime-anyplace-air-force-special-operations-command-in-future-irregular-warfare/
