Air Base Opening

<p>Have you heard the one about the most powerful military in the world unable to project its capability because air bases were unavailable? Fortunately the answer is no! The United States military whether in support of contingency or humanitarian efforts has been able to gain access to airfields and bases to accomplish its mission. Whether well organized and executed or simply ad hoc and adequate air base opening has been successful. However since the end of the Cold War the Department of Defense (DOD) finds itself in an age of ever-decreasing overseas military presences that is permanent in nature and must dramatically improve its ability to create global basing access. History has proven there is no cookie cutter approach to air base opening operations. This research first provides a historical glimpse of modern air base opening from the limited use of non-improved airstrips in World War II and Korea through the complex joint operations witnessed during the current Global War on Terror then introduces and analyzes current DOD efforts to professionalize the art of air base opening. Finally the author argues the development of a next generation global basing access capability is paramount and should be explored to ensure continuous access to even more challenging environments to come. To be successful in future global air base access requires well-trained warriors versed in the full spectrum of air base opening. These professionals must be able to fill the gaps or seams created in the ever-evolving joint and coalition environment that is airbase opening. The AF has laid the foundation for base opening success by creating the Contingency Response Group (CRG) Concept. The CRG is the AF's first responders for opening bases with its primary mission to provide seamless transition from airfield seizure to air base opening to force employment and v sustainment in concert with follow-on force modules and theater-assigned mobility forces across the full <br>spectrum</p><p>This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore you will see the original copyright references library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world) and other notations in the work.</p><p>This work is in the public domain in the United States of America and possibly other nations. Within the United States you may freely copy and distribute this work as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.</p><p>As a reproduction of a historical artifact this work may contain missing or blurred pages poor pictures errant marks etc. Scholars believe and we concur that this work is important enough to be preserved reproduced and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.</p><br>