Information systems : the challenge of the future for the Air Force Communications Command

This Note examines the future of the Air Force Communications Command (AFCC). Because of recent changes in organizational alignments of data automation and communications, the following are some of the significant changes in AFCC posture and capability that will have to be made: (1) AFCC can and should make a force multiplier available to decisionmakers in the form of information systems that can provide timely status and option information; (2) AFCC should be reorganized to become the focal point within the Air Force for communication system and functional-area information system matters; (3) it should be the entity that determines requirements and advocates improvements for common-user communications systems and develops functional-area information systems; (4) it must carefully and deliberately oversee the training and career progression of the recently combined communications and computer career fields; and (5) it must acquire the capability to perform systems analyses and other technical studies that support its proposals and relate them to mission effectiveness. Other issues related to the AFCC are discussed in RAND/N-2164-AF.