Infrastructure Truths for Air, Space, and Cyberspace
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Authors
Sloan, Joel A.
Stanford, M. Scott
Phelan, Thomas J.
Pocock, James B.
Issue Date
2021-03
Type
Article
Language
en_US
Keywords
Alternative Title
Abstract
The importance of the air base and the physical infrastructure that it contains to the success of air operations is not a new concept. There is a general acknowledgment in the Air Force today that the air base itself is a “weapons system.” As former Secretary of the Air Force Dr. Heather Wilson stated with the release of the Infrastructure Investment Strategy (I2S), “in the Air Force, we fight from our bases. . . the places we call home are also the platforms from which we project combat power.” The Air Force major command (MAJCOM) commanders further stated that “the foundation of Air Force readiness and lethality is an integrated network of resilient installations that enable advanced-generation, multi-domain operations while also providing safe communities for our Airmen and families.” Nevertheless, budgets are tight, and it is often difficult to quantify the value provided to the mission through the investment in physical infrastructure or the risk to mission associated with neglecting infrastructure. To that end, this article describes a succinct set of “infrastructure truths,” clear statements of the foundational principles of infrastructure management. Airmen and Guardians can use these principles to guide advocacy and funding decisions at all levels of leadership. To set the stage for these truths, this article includes a brief history of the important role that air base infrastructure has played in airpower employment with logical extensions to space and cyberspace and a brief review of current doctrine pertaining to infrastructure. Although infrastructure has a broader definition in some contexts, including industries and institutions, the focus of this work is on the physical infrastructure—the facilities, airfield pavement, and utilities that are integral components of mission success.
Description
Citation
Sloan, Joel & Stanford, Matthew & Phelan, Thomas & Pocock, James. (2021). Infrastructure Truths for Air, Space, and Cyberspace. Air and Space Power Journal. 35. 19-36.
Publisher
Air and Space Power Journal