Combat Support Execution Planning and Control

Operations in Serbia in 1999 revealed issues with combat support execution planning and control. RAND Project Air Force (PAF) analyzed the then-current operation architecture and developed a future (“TO-BE”) architecture. As part of this continuing effort, PAF and Air Force personnel formed an assessment team to observe two command post exercises, Terminal Fury 2004 and Austere Challenge 2004, that offered an operational environment in which to evaluate Air Force progress in implementing the TO-BE. The exercises highlighted opportunities in three areas — organizational structure, systems and tools, and training and education — in which continuing implementation of the TO BE architecture should improve productivity and enhance decisionmaking.