The Quick Response Air Force
Research Report
The Quick Response Air Force: Decisive Expeditionary Airpower for the Future?
G. Larry Thompson
Copyright Date: Jun. 1, 1996
Published by: Air University Press
Pages: 43
OPEN ACCESS
https://www.jstor.org/stable/resrep13917
Table of Contents
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  1. Front Matter
    Front Matter (pp. i-ii)
  2. Disclaimer
    Disclaimer (pp. ii-ii)
  3. Table of Contents
    Table of Contents (pp. iii-iii)
  4. Abstract
    Abstract (pp. v-v)
  5. About the Author
    About the Author (pp. vii-vii)
  6. Acknowledgments
    Acknowledgments (pp. ix-ix)
  7. Chapter 1 Introduction
    Chapter 1 Introduction (pp. 1-2)

    In October 1994, a mere three and one-half years after the conclusion of the Persian Gulf War, Iraqi president Saddam Hussein massed combat troops along his southern border, again threatening Kuwait and northern Saudi Arabia. The United States (US) responded with Operation Vigilant Warrior, which successfully prevented a further Iraqi advance and demonstrated the US commitment and resolve to uphold the peace and stability in the region. In the first 10 days, forces of the United States Central Command Air Forces (USCENTAF) flew over 1,000 Vigilant Warrior sorties and nearly tripled the number of combat aircraft in-theater.¹ The operation was...

  8. Chapter 2 The Problem
    Chapter 2 The Problem (pp. 3-8)

    As Secretary Widnall states, the United States Air Force is facing many new challenges in the aftermath of the fall of the wall and the evolution of a new world order. The newly defined multipolar world has produced complex and unpredictable challenges to the Air Force and the rest of the US military forces. Many domestic and international factors combine to complicate matters and redefine many of the problems. Domestically, many Americans are more isolationist and have a hard time understanding why they need to have thousands of troops permanently forward-deployed in Europe, Asia and the Middle East. Americans want...

  9. Chapter 3 The Force Requirement
    Chapter 3 The Force Requirement (pp. 9-13)

    Airpower has the potential to take the lead in the revolution that General Shalikashvili refers to. Part of this revolution will be the “perfect” Quick Response Airpower Force or something close to it. The perfect QRAF may never be obtainable, but that should not stop the US Air Force from working towards that end. How should this QRAF look? How do we describe what it should be capable of doing? Using the case studies and discussions from the previous chapter, we can identify certain characteristics that are either required or desired in a QRAF. A QRAF must address all the...

  10. Chapter 4 The Force Today
    Chapter 4 The Force Today (pp. 15-26)

    As we have discussed in previous chapters, airpower contributes significantly in creating a responsive global military force. There are many possible ways of building this force, and the USAF’s experiences from the past offer valuable lessons to that end. Before creating the new force though, we need to understand what organizations are in place today and if they alone are able to accomplish the mission we have defined. Only then can we determine if a new force is necessary.

    Assuming the Quick Response Airpower Force capability does not exist in the way we have described, we need to determine what...

  11. Chapter 5 The Force Tomorrow
    Chapter 5 The Force Tomorrow (pp. 27-32)

    The requirement for some type of quick response airpower in the US Air Force is real and immediate. We are now armed with the knowledge and understanding of the lessons from previous attempts, the tools available today to create the force, and what capabilities are necessary to make the force fit the requirement. With this, we can create the model force. In this study the model force is actually a combination of forces, organizations, and capabilities. There is no perfect solution, and trade-offs are always going to be necessary, particularly when budgetary considerations are factored in. With this in mind,...

  12. Chapter 6 Conclusion
    Chapter 6 Conclusion (pp. 33-38)

    This analysis has explored the need and means to provide the National Command Authorities with a responsive and credible airpower force. This force must be able to effectively and efficiently deter aggression wherever United States national interests are at stake, as well as be ready to defeat the aggression if deterrence fails. This proposal to create a Quick Response Airpower Force is rooted in airpower history, and it is based on a practical approach using existing forces. While this study addresses many issues, much work remains to be done. In this last chapter, I will offer recommendations for some of...